Like a wildfire, it's captivating, it starts from one prime location and spreads to everything around it. What am I talking about you ask, fake news! Over the past few days, I have been doing a lot of research… well, some research. It has made me wonder why fake news is so addictive, why are people so drawn to them? It is because they convey what we want to hear, that our passion for a world of drama overtakes the fact that it may not be true? According to pew research, people are more likely to accept information that supports their belief and ignore the ones that don’t. In 2019, Bussiness Insider published an article on the top 10 most viewed fake news stories on Facebook. As I was looking through the list, the results actually surprised me a little but. I was expecting the list to be filled with celebrity news that get all the rage. To my surprise, it was all, or for the most part all political. They ranged from “Democrats vote to enhance medicare for illegals” to “Ban on motorcycles”. However, the most viewed fake news on Facebook was "Trump’s grandfather was a pimp and tax evader; his father a member of the KKK". This somehow supports the claim that people click on news that supports their belief because with a headline like this, it would shut down a majority of the support he is receiving and people would be exhilarated to share.
Before I conclude, I am going to give you useful tips to spot fake news and not fall for the trap. First, examines the publisher’s credibility. Does the cite meet academic publishing standards? Look at the author and read the domain name, don’t always be fooled by the “.com”. Second, pay attention to quality and timeline. Is there a lot of spelling or grammar mistakes? Make sure the story you are reading is not a tale of the past being dramatized in the present. Third, check the sources and citations. Make sure they have an accurate statement from their source that can be backed. Also, make sure they aren't the only article about this information. Fourth, and lastly, use a fact-checking website.
Commentaires