Remaining vigilant and identifying fake news

 Maxwell Abbatiello

ma281019@ohio.edu

Image taken from NPR: A Finders Guide To Facts

The term "fake news" has been thrown around so consistently these past couple of years that it has tarnished the entirety of news media. However, its reputation is so influential that most reputable news sources, such as the New York Times, are looked at with skepticism. What happened to our cumulative trust in the news, which has so obviously declined? Well, there is no denying the fact that fake news is very much out there, and the existence of it will turn anyone into a critic of all publications in fear of falling victim to it. Identifying false information can be difficult; most Americans have a hard time distinguishing fact from opinion. According to a pew research study that looked into adults' abilities to determine what news was fact and opinion, only 26% of adults were able to identify all five factual statements, and 35% were able to identify all opinionated statements. 

Based on the research, where a person stands politically can heavily influence what they think about the news they consume. A specific audience will view news that confirms their beliefs: For example, a supporter of Bernie Sanders is more likely to click on an article that benefits his image rather than one that harms it. That is most referred to as selective viewing or confirmation bias. These motivations help foster fake news because the viewer will not give a second thought to the article's credibility if it confirms their beliefs. I encourage everyone to put aside their personal beliefs/biases when reading news, even if the truth is hard to swallow. Here's another statistic I found interesting: 43% of adults who had high trust in news media could identify the opinionated news. 

The pressure to push out content at a rapid and consistent rate has been violently pushed upon publications in the digital age. It has undermined the importance of accuracy and truth by emphasizing speed. Fake news has become such a popular topic that some media organizations are finding value in ensuring their readers that what they are viewing is true. BuzzFeed is a great example.

The way we consume news and information has changed and developed exponentially over the past couple of years. It is essential to slow down and think about what you are reading and its context. A Twitter account is verified does not mean whatever that organization says is true. Remain vigilant, and stay aware of the content you are consuming.