Impacts of Fake News

Maddy Doyle 

 

madisonkdoyle@gmail.com

 

 

As of September 14, 2020 the public is looking to the media more than ever. The public is looking for resources that they can put their trust in. They want an outlet that they will not question every single piece of information that comes out of the reporters mouth. They want an organization that will not put out misleading content. The current world is something that we as a society have never seen before. Between the stress of the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic the public wants answers. Most importantly, they want the truth. How can fake news affect the public? Another question that is not always thought about is, how does fake news affect the credibility of the media outlet? 

 

While technology of the 21st century has made aspects of life much easier. There are also aspects that have become more difficult. All news organizations now have ample ways of getting their information out to the public. Whether this is by social media platforms, blogs or even the newspaper. The public is now faced with the problem of what content to trust and what content should be looked over. 

 

 

Picture source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2020/01/09/how-journalists-fighting-fake-news-you-can-too/2846932001/

 

 

A recent study put out by Michigan State University allows for us to dive into how the public is receiving fake news. One of the numbers that they had found was astonishing. Nearly six out of 10 people use social media outlets for their daily news. People would consider social media to be one of their most important ways of taking in what is going on around the world. When thinking of all the inadequate information that goes on social media, this is not reassuring. While journalists need to be living up to the ethical standards when making content public, it is also important for the public to proceed with caution when it comes to the information they are taking in. This should not be the case. The public should not have to double check every single piece of content they take in. They should be able to read something and trust it, that is not the case in this world. 

 

It is necessary for journalists to remember the standards they should hold themselves to. Not only does this reflect poorly on the journalist themselves but also the news organization that you represent. This means that if you give the public any one reason to believe your content is fake, then they will lose trust in that organization as a whole. 

 

One last point, being a credible source is not just for the traditional news outlets. The same thing follows for marketing and public relations professionals. You do not want to have any false information in any content that is being put out. While for news and information you have a duty to the public to give them accurate and truthful information. For public relations, you have the duty on the behalf of the client and the agency to give accurate information. It is two companies' reputation that could be ruined. Put out accurate information. Put out information to help the public. Lastly, put out information that will reflect well on you as a human. Be a professional who helps this industry, not one who hurts it.