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What Is Fake News?
In today's digital climate, fake news is a topic that sparks much controversy and political discourse due to the rise of social media platforms on the internet. Many American citizens became worried about the presence of fake news after the 2016 presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, when untrustworthy sources were releasing false information in the hope of affecting the election turnout. Properly defined, fake news is news, stories, or hoaxes created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers, according to a Webwise article.
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However, fake news is not something that started and ended with the last election. The phenomenon of fake news is ever present in the modern media but not necessarily a new concept. From the age of yellow journalism, the use of sensationalism and extreme exaggerations have been used as tools to persuade the public. This trend in journalism ended around the early 1900s when public education became more easily accessible and people started to question sources. Yellow journalism may seem far removed from modern life, but it is now seeing a resurgence on social media. Certain platforms are known for spreading "click bait" advertisements and stories, which are over-dramatic and sometimes falsified posts designed to attract viewers.
Example: Conspiracy Theories
A modern example of fake news in the media is the growing support for various conspiracy theories on the internet. Conspiracy theories are essentially explanations of an event or situation that involve suspicious or sinister motives. These theories are attractive to many social media users because they offer an exciting interpretation of history, and persuade followers to rebel against authority through assembly. Social media is the perfect tool when gathering those with similar views, and Facebook and Youtube have seen a rise in conspiracy theorists over the last five years. This is problematic because most conspiracy theories are grounded in little fact, and perpetuate a distrust of government in our country.
Overall Effect
With more Americans relying on social media for news than ever before, the fake news epidemic is having a negative impact on many citizens both young and old. In a Pew Research Study from October 2, 2019, it was reported that 55 percent of U.S. adults get their news from social media either "often" or "sometimes." This statistic does not include adolescents, but many teenagers are exposed to news stories on the platform Snapchat. This usage is concerning because fake news is not always easy to identify. When consumed, fake news has the ability to perpetuate negative stereotypes and further polarize the political climate.
Moving Forward
Despite the strong tide of fake news, we are still able to filter out what is true and what is not in published media. The most important skill is to be media literate, which is the ability to critically evaluate information on the internet. The first step is to check your sources and to only put your trust into reputable news outlets. Once you feel comfortable with a news outlet, make sure to not just take everything they say as fact. Continuously compare articles to other articles on the same topic, and trust the most commonly stated facts. We are all capable of using social media to become more knowledgeable individuals, not misinformed believers of fake news.
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