Fake news and Conspiracy theories

WHAT’S IN

A WORDFe NEWS AND Cspiracy THEORIES

Compiled by Kerry-Ann Scrase

Fake news is not something new – although with the digital era it has become a bigger issue. False and distorted news material has been around since the birth of newspapers and printed media. It has evolved from the exaggerated stories that have helped popularise tabloids to the shocking headlines, called 'clickbait' that are now commonplace on digital platforms and social media. But what is fake news, and how is it different to conspiracy theories?

The term 'fake news' is the broad term used to describe articles that are intentionally misleading and can be proven to be false. It is often presented in such a convincing manner and intentionally manipulates a person's take on real facts, events, and statements. But why has 'fake news' become such 'big news'? It is because fake news in its modern form is different from the historical forms of journalistic nonsense of the past - the speed at which it is spread, and the magnitude of its influence makes it that much more dangerous.

Many people now get news from social media sites and networks and often it can be difficult to tell whether stories are credible or not. Information overload and a general lack of understanding about how the internet works has contributed to an increase in fake news or hoax stories. It is also true that the more you hear something the truer it seems.

Media platforms gather information on users - including their demographics and internet behaviour. This is intended to be used by marketers, but it can also be leveraged by those looking to spread misinformation. Using this data, fake news can be designed to appeal to a specific audience to encourage engagement. From there, the content gains even more exposure, even going viral.

Social media platforms have had to acknowledge their role in the increase in fake news. As a result, they have been forced to do something to address the problem. Both Facebook and Instagram have acted against individuals and pages sharing fake news even removing them from the sites when appropriate.

ARE CONSPIRACY THEORIES FAKE NEWS?

Conspiracy theories differ from fake news in that they generally attempt to explain harmful or tragic events and often spring up in times of anxiety, uncertainty, or hardship, such as during wars and economic depressions and in the aftermath of natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, and pandemics. This has been evident in the past year with various conspiracy theories regarding the origins of the coronavirus and safety of vaccines emerging.

They also often involve the belief that an event or set of circumstances occurred thanks to a secret plot by powerful conspirators or that a secret of great importance is being kept from the public.

According to the website Conversation.com, conspiracy theorists are traders in illusion. They offer a certain amount of comfort, which is what makes them appealing in the first place. But they invariably lead to a dead end.

Like fake news, conspiracy theories also seem to have become more popular. One of the reasons is thought to be that people can choose to go to a particular sources and disregard other sources that contradict their views. As a result, their attitudes and beliefs are further cemented. Social media and the internet further encourage the spreading of conspiracy theories due to the ability of people to interact and share this information.

Whether it is fake news or conspiracy theories, we as individuals have a role to play in spreading or halting its spread. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to only follow and share news from the most reliable news sources, which have been proven to produce news content that is based on rigorous journalistic standards and fact-based reporting. Simply applying logic and a fair amount of scepticism rather than blind belief will also help not falling prey to the latest bit of fake news or weird theory.

TIPS FOR EVALUATING CONTENT ONLINE: 1. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

Check the source of the story, do you recognise the website? Is it a credible/reliable source? If you are unfamiliar with the site, look in the about section or find out more information about the author.

2. LOOK BEYOND THE HEADLINE Check the entire article, many fake news stories and conspiracy theories use sensationalist or shocking headlines to grab attention.

3. CHECK OTHER SOURCES Are other reputable news/media outlets reporting on the story? Are there any sources in the story? If so, check they are reliable or if they even exist.

4. CHECK THE FACTS Stories with false information often contain incorrect dates or altered timelines. It is also a good idea to check when the article was published, is it current or an old news story?

5. CHECK YOUR BIASES Are your own views or beliefs affecting your judgement of a news feature or report?

6. IS IT A JOKE? Satirical sites are popular online and sometimes it is not always clear whether a story is just a joke or parody… Check the website, is it known for satire or creating funny stories?