rp071813@ohio.edu
One of the most discussed topics in the news has been news production itself. The uniqueness of the 2016 presidential election in the United States uncovered a tunnel of "news and information" that turned heads around the globe. I am talking about fake news; its effects on events in the past and how we can prepare for its effects in the future.
Who is one of the primary creators of fake news? Most of the studies I have read online point to social media. The situation is complicated because social media started as a personal communication platform but it has grown to be a source where the world can get all forms of information. There is beauty in the instant connection that is available to the world for many reasons. Sadly, like anything else, with easy access and millions of people, it's a simple target for manipulation.
Discovering the people behind these fake news stories are not always direct. During the election, I was lead to believe that fake news was produced by large mass media companies but that is not the case. The journalists who work tirelessly to export information to their audiences are being undercut by a system of fictional stories that ignore ethics and structure within journalism.
Fake news has had its impact in large scale proportions. Although it has slipped through the cracks and influenced certain ways of thinking in our world, this doesn't mean that we can't learn to bypass fake news. The flare up of fake news has become apparent to consumers and it is the responsibility of readers to analyze the information before they adopt it as their own beliefs.
It is statistically proven that social media is where fake news is most popularly published. This means that it is up to the users to adopt media literacy. Not everyone will put in the time to research and fact check the articles, especially if it favors their way of thinking. Just as we speak, we must think before we share.
Looking toward the future of news, only time can tell how consumers decide to stay informed. Will the public take responsibility for researching and questioning stories? Will readers flock to specific news outlets because of trust issues? How is todays news and information climate changing the future of small and large media companies that we have relied on in the past?
There are many predictions to where news is headed but it doesn't rely on a single source. Mass media companies must learn to adapt and maintain focus in the online world. Local and small news channels must evolve to the mind of todays consumer. The public must decide for theirselves how much they value trust and truth in order to improve news and information as we know it.
This is not the end of fake news and social media is not the only platform it will abuse. As technology will inspire new forms of communication and networking, users must remain thoughtful of what they decide to read and share.
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