Fake News: Is Seeing Believing?

Allison Pierce

 

It’s no secret that we, as consumers, love a good story. We are consistently on standby for the next Hollywood gossip, political scandal, or other newsworthy event. Although, I have to wonder, how much of what we are being spoon-fed is factual? While truth, accuracy, trustworthiness, and authenticity are all pillars of journalist’s ethical codes, these are easily manipulated through fake news.

According to the article found here, photo manipulation is the easiest way to fake news. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that seeing is no longer believing, especially while living in a digital age, where access to photo-editing apps is effortless. Take the below image, for example. The image first surfaced shortly after the 9/11 attacks, depicting a tourist atop the World Trade Center, seemingly seconds before the aircraft would collide. However, it was quickly debunked, but not before going viral. Despite its poor taste, this example goes to show how effortless the process really is.

Picture source: Peter Guzli

Just as the tourist pictured above, Peter Guzli, many others have committed the act of photo manipulation for their personal and/or professional gain. However, they are not always done with malicious intent. For example, there are many satirical entertainment news sources out there. This list here features a few of these, as well as the University of Central Florida has an entire on their website dedicated to fake news and factchecking, specifically satirical news sources. In fact, the first thing posted on the page is a 1861 quote, supposedly from Abraham Lincoln, stating, “The problem with information that you read on the Internet is that it is not always true”.

Ultimately, to me, it’s not the message of the fake news that it the most damaging, but how quickly it spreads. One, simple edit to an image, intentional misquote, or exaggeration to a story can cause the fake news to become widespread. Therefore, it is a journalist’s responsibility to uphold their ethical codes at all times.