By Kavya, Hasini, Advaita and Maya
Misinformation in today’s day and age has become unavoidable. The impact that it puts upon democracy and human beings of all ages is what many worry about. The fight to get misinformation and fake news out of the way might be one that humanity might lose, as many become victims (of misinformation and fake news) without noticing.
While most of the world was struggling to stay alive during the COVID – 19 pandemic, the folks over at Fox News were convinced it was all a hoax. They peddled conspiracy theories about how the coronavirus crisis was politically motivated, and how the government was exaggerating the death toll. And their theories didn’t go unheard, they were mostly conservative, and the pro-Trump audience was quick to react. Pretty soon, small protests dotted the streets of the US, with people demanding that the government stop selling the coronavirus lie and own up to the truth.
What Fox News did is a prime example of misinformation. Misinformation is defined as incorrect or misleading information. You’ve probably heard of its brother, disinformation. Although they sound similar, the two are different. Disinformation is deliberately deceptive. It’s intended to convince audiences of untruths.
Why exactly is the Fox News episode categorized as misinformation and not disinformation? Well, the editors and anchors at fox news genuinely believed that the pandemic was completely manufactured. This belief was probably rooted in half-truths, unverified reports and hearsay. While it’s possible that they were deliberately trying to mislead their audiences, the aftermath of the incident shows that it’s more likely that they were misled.
The Fox News incident shows that even after misinformation is called out, it can continue to influence people’s perceptions of a particular issue. There are still many viewers of Fox news, for instance, who believe that the pandemic is a hoax. It’s not just news on TV, social media and technology are breeding grounds for misinformation. They supply misinformation with fuel and a wide audience.
Even when a tweet might not be well–researched, people rarely stop to think before retweeting and liking a post. Misinformation spreads like wildfire, and social media often encourages its virality.
Misinformation is dangerous in many ways. Firstly, it threatens the fabric of democracy and broader society. Consuming misinformation can lead individuals to develop misinformed opinions and beliefs. What’s more, people often act on these beliefs. In India, for example, misinformation during COVID – 19 inspired people to rely on silly ‘home – remedies ‘to beat the virus. Moreover, because it’s hard to pinpoint the source of the misinformation, there’s little room for accountability. Accountability is one of the basic tenets of any well–functioning democracy. If allowed to go unchecked, as it often has in the past, misinformation has the potential to influence voters’ opinions and their understanding of political issues.
So, what’s the best way to combat misinformation? Turns out, a combination of different methods has to be pursued. Fake accounts known for spreading misinformation must be held accountable. Articles and news reports must be fact-checked before being published. And most importantly, political leaders must educate themselves on contemporary issues before issuing statements. With the power they hold, even one incorrect statement could have catastrophic effects.
The fight against misinformation isn’t just a battle against fake news and misleading stories, it’s a fight to keep democracy alive.
All memes were made using imgflip.com.