How Technology has Contributed to the Spread of Fake News

Fake news is wrong information that someone shares with the public, purporting to be true. They come in three different forms: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (collectively referred to as MDM). 

Misinformation is false information that has no intention of causing harm. Disinformation is the opposite of misinformation—it is intended to manipulate people or a group of people and cause damage. Malinformation is information that was once accurate but has been exaggerated or twisted in a certain way to cause harm.

People have always spread fake news—even in the past. However, because of new technology, fake news now spread faster. Social media platforms have taken it a notch higher. This is because of the ability for people to share whatever information they come across, regardless of whether it is true or false. 

The spread of fake news on social media was evident in the recently concluded general election in Kenya where different versions of information kept being shared, bringing confusion among the public.

Another way technology has contributed to the spread of fake news is through sophisticated image, video, or audio editing tools. For instance, someone can use the photo editing software, Photoshop, to edit an image featuring a prominent person to look real, and then share it on social media. Someone on social media will believe it as original and share it, sparking controversy.

How to spot and avoid fake news

Fake news is a real problem that can have serious consequences. People deliberately create them to mislead or misinform readers, often for political gain. They can have real-world consequences, as they can lead to people making poor decisions based on false information. Therefore, it is important to recognise fake news and understand the potential risks it can pose.

The source of information and its credibility is the first thing to look out for. For example, a local blog likely has less credibility than a national newspaper. Scrutinise the piece of information further to consider what the news source’s objectives are, whether they are simply to report the news, or whether they have a hidden agenda.

To check for accuracy, read from different sources rather than a single source. This could include news from different countries or authors with different backgrounds. Also, check the publication date. Ensure it is not an old story.

Last, before sharing any news article, it is important to make sure that it is authentic. Fake news relies on people blindly sharing it without checking the source. If you are unsure about the validity of an article, take a moment to verify it before reposting or retweeting it.