Fake news can be found everywhere, but question is are you a gullible person? Or are you the type of person who takes everything with a grain of salt? Either way, both traits are normal especially with the existence of the internet. The things we read or see today are rather easier to believe. But with this, we should not always put our trust on the information shared online.
Not Everything On the Internet Is True.. Unfortunately
The internet is a place where you, me and almost everyone else tune to any latest updates. Whether it be about world news, celebrities, political candidates and so on. It is quite a normal behaviour for humans to digest what we see online and deem it as truthful and believable.
But when we invest our trust so much on what we see online, and we start to share these (allegedly untrue) information, things may take a turn.. Especially when it revolves around something we are still sceptical about. We pass the information around without weighing the consequences of our actions. But if you wish to do so, make sure the information comes from trusted resources.
Hey, readers! Are you still with me on this? If you are, read on to find more..
The Increase in Fake News Since the Pandemic
There are no surprises here on the rise in misinformation lately regarding COVID-19. Because everyday we are still discovering new characteristics of the virus, false information (and sometimes potentially harmful) spreads like wildfire and unfortunately, easily believable.
When inaccurate claims and information are being spread, it makes it difficult for society to differentiate between false and verified news. This may also affect one’s mental health negatively. It may potentially increase a person’s anxiety and even depression. So be careful on the messages you forward, see or read online.
How You Can Identify False/Fake News
Fact checking or making sure your data is reliable does not have to be hard, it’s not rocket science. There are lots of ways on how you can identify if something is false or authentic.
- Double-Check the Source – If it derives from a site you have never heard before, best you do more digging! Or you can compare your resources with those that reports the same story.
- Have a Critical Mindset – Fake news is often believable, so it’s easy to get carried away. They are intended to elicit “element of surprise,” or a strong immediate response such as anxiety or anger. Rather, think reasonably and critically about what you see and hear.
- Assess the Evidence – A trustworthy news report will feature several facts, such as expert quotations, survey data, and government statistics. Or eyewitness statements from the incident that are precise, consistent, and verified. If any of these are missing, be sure to inquire!
- Are the Images (if any) Legitimate? – Pictures are now easily faked to appear authentic thanks to modern editing tools. However, certain warning signals such as distorted shadows on the image or uneven edges around a person can help you identify if the photo is fake.You can examine where a picture came from and whether it has been changed using tools like Google Reverse Image Search.
- Does It Sound Right? – Last but not least, apply your common sense! Keep in mind that fake news exists to “feed” your prejudices, hopes, and anxieties.It’s doubtful, for example, that your favourite designer company will give out a million free gowns to customers who visit its stores. Similarly, just because you have received an email saying you won a million dollars, doesn’t mean it’s true.
Takeaways For You
By mistake or purpose, fake news refers to deliberate untruths, or tales that include some truth but aren’t fully factual. Some individuals also label true articles as “fake news” just because they disagree with them. This can lead to hazardous disregard for important counsel.
Fake news has the potential to negatively affect workplace behaviour. For example, by wreaking havoc on learning culture and spreading rumours and distrust. As a result, knowing how to tell the real from the false is crucial.
We hope you’ve learned something from this article! 🙂