Being able to share information online has increased engagement around the world. While that is useful in many ways, it’s also created a way for misinformation and fake news to spread. This causes distrust, and division in society, and poses a risk to the general public and its well-being. Fighting misinformation is a challenge in the digital world but it is necessary. That’s because it protects the reputation of online news and brings together social groups.
Fake news, disinformation, and misinformation are issues that affect decision making, threaten governments, and interfere with public health. This guide looks at some of the ways that countries are fighting all types of false content. It also discusses how tools, such as Osavul, a media monitoring platform help address the issue. Before we go further, let’s define each of the key terms that are used throughout this article.
- Fake news: false news content, designed to look legitimate with the purpose of misleading readers.
- Misinformation: deliberately false information that is shared, but without the goal of deceiving the viewer.
- Disinformation: inaccurate information shared with the sole purpose of deceiving readers.
It’s important to understand these terms. It allows for figuring out what’s driving the spread of false information. When that happens, the right actions can be taken to address the problem.
Social media is one way that online mis/disinformation and fake news is being spread. Algorithms are driven by engagement, which means that sensational information gets the top spot in the feed.
In a report issued by Statista, online misinformation spread six times faster than real news. Topics include healthcare, science, and politics.
More than 60 percent of people around the world call online misinformation something to be worried about. Because of this, there is a decrease in public trust. That includes most traditional media sources, including television and newspapers. Unfortunately, fake news is a global problem, and fighting dales, fake, scam, and misleading content is something that needs a worldwide response.
There are many examples of misinformation in the media. Let’s look at a few ways its dissemination has affected perceptions around the world.
Social media was filled with misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. There were myths about vaccine safety. For example, some fake news said the vaccine could cause infertility. Many people were afraid to get their vaccine because of this misinformation. Organizations, such as the World Health Organization, worked to debunk these myths. Special news alerts and websites were created for this purpose.
Climate change is a problem in the world. It’s getting a lot of media attention. That makes the topic susceptible to fake news and the need for tactics for fighting it. There are many claims, such as that climate change is a hoax. This has gotten in the way of people properly understanding the issue. Consumers are urged to fact-check information before taking it as a fact.
There are many effects that spreading misinformation can cause. Understanding what they are is a great way to identify them, which is a huge step in countering misinformation. Below are some examples of misinformation effects.
Spreading falsehoods, either deliberately or misguided leads to misunderstanding among the public. This can cause them to make misinformed decisions regarding elections, healthcare, and environmental efforts. Exposure makes it difficult to determine facts from fiction. This affects public perception and behavior in potentially negative ways.
On a wide scale, this problem contributes to social divisions. It also makes existing polarization worse. When the goal is to bring groups together, it’s hard to do when misinformation turns them against each other. Fighting misinformation is important to unifying communities, even if they have different viewpoints.
Reading misinformation online gives viewers false information about healthcare and government. This takes away from trust in the candidates. It also keeps people from making safe and informed health decisions. This threatens individuals, as well as society in general.
Global cooperation is important to the fight. Some entities have combined their efforts to do this. The goal is to educate the public to recognize and counter it appropriately.
- The EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation
- UNESCO’s Media Literacy Programs
- Ukrainian disinformation industry startups
Many governments are creating special policies and new laws to fight misinformation. Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are doing the same. One example is the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), which works to identify misinformation and validate correct information. Media and journalism organizations work with these fact checking entities to be sure they are reporting credible news.
Technology is a powerful tool for fighting misinformation. Osavul is a forerunner for this goal. Let’s find out more.
Osavul media monitoring software works to detect, analyze, and combat misinformation. It uses a variety of tools, including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to flag, in a timely manner, the offending content. Businesses, governments, and social entities are using the software on their platforms.
- Real-time alerts
- Impact analysis
- Identification and tracking
- Monitoring social media and news sources: scans online media and news sources to flag misinformation so it can be taken care of.
- Automating fact-checking processes: working with fact checking sites, Osavul verifies claims.
- Analyzing global impact: Osavul creates reports with details about misinformation around the world so it can be combatted.
Misinformation will continue to adapt, which means that efforts of fighting will also have to adapt. Collaboration among governments and NGOs is important. So is using technology, such as Osavul. Effectively combating misleading and false content is important for public health and safety. It’s also vital for building trust in the government and keeping the public informed. Media literacy is also important as it teaches people to recognize misinformation and what to do about it. Working together is valuable for protecting people around the world from the damaging effects of misinformation.
