{"id":174,"date":"2023-04-10T13:58:31","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T13:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=174"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:22:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:22:26","slug":"what-is-fake-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/articles\/what-is-fake-news\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Fake News and How Do You Spot It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The modern-day disinformation epidemic is not the first chapter in disseminating made-up facts. The so-called age of post-truth existed long before misinformation became known as fake news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that term has become an integral part of global political warfare today. It can affect elections, fuel ethnic violence and help crush dissent. So many people want to know what is distorted, credible, and fake news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fake news spans multiple styles and practices, from clickbait websites to satirical ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, you will find out what is fake news and in what way you can identify it. So, continue reading to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the peak of the Cold War, the UK\u2019s foreign office housed the so-called Information Research Department. The IRD\u2019s primary function was to forge documents and produce \u201cfake news stories” later fed to mainstream journalists and academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1963, the department exploited an incident in Bulgaria<\/a> where African students left the country, claiming racial discrimination. The IRD disseminated phony press releases, accusing Bulgaria of \u201cwhite superiority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although seismic changes in online technology have given rise to far more sophisticated campaigns, faking news and spreading falsehoods to confuse or undermine one\u2019s enemy is nothing new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Russia\u2019s alleged interference <\/a>in the US 2016 election focused on using bots and troll farms. But whatever the methods, the ultimate objective is to blur the line between fact and fiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fake news, by definition, is the deliberate spreading of disinformation or hoaxes through print, broadcast, or online media outlets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These fabrications often begin with the title itself. This is where the author can already claim something outrageous and untrue. The wording is also essential, grabbing the reader\u2019s attention and keeping him hooked throughout the article. This is called clickbait in online publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A headline needs an accompanying image, and that\u2019s where another cog gets added to the wheel. It might involve an unflattering photo of a person the article is trying to discredit, a provocative image, or even a doctored one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next component of a fake news article is the story. The author twists facts, intentionally omitting information and taking quotations out of context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Objectivity is the first victim. One way to spot a fake news story is by evaluating the degree of bias. If a piece sides with someone without offering much evidence and documentation, it\u2019s a sign that the news is fake. The aim is to misinform the reader about the topic at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are all just basic steps to identify fake news, and new procedures are being introduced daily. The fake information might be mixed with actual news, so a double and triple check is needed to grasp the story entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple Google search can help reveal if the piece is false news or if others are reporting on this matter. If more reputable news sources don\u2019t cover this story or the information is inconsistent, the article is likely fake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent study revealed that 50% of Americans<\/a> believe fake news is a bigger threat than terrorism and violent crime. Most of those who participated in the study claimed that the political motives behind fake news undermine the nation\u2019s confidence in government and each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the danger is that fake news could become a catch-all term used to discredit any piece of news that someone simply doesn’t agree with, regardless of whether it includes any fake information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rise of fake news in the 21st century happened due to social media, where an eye-catching headline often turns a meek story into a trending post on Facebook<\/a>. This massive surge in deliberate misinformation harmed the credibility of online platforms. Since its primary goal is to misinform, the only party benefiting is the one spreading the propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Is Fake News a Problem?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Types of Fake News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n