Identifying Fake News

Fake News and its common channels

Fake news is becoming a common issue that faces consumers of media in all aspects of our life. It finds its way through various platforms and relies on the proliferation of these mediums to extend its reach to as many people as possible. Before the internet, the public could only access the news through traditionally regulated channels such as newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. However now and with the advance of technology, social media has become one of the greatest and the most powerful tools to spread and share information.

When Social Media became the source for news?

Now media experts consider social media as the new television, as the viewership is moving from linear message mediums to further online interactive sites, as CEO of ShareThis, Kurt Abrahamson says:

Now if we look closely at traditional news channels; from newspapers, radios & television, we notice that all types have online publishing sites and social media platforms, and some even have special applications. And when we focus on their new content, they rely on using online resources that are provided from online public figures and influencers.

And now, the content published through social media is different than classical content, as social media by nature is instantaneous; posts are sent and received at the click of a button, subscriptions to media accounts that give users constant updates once released. This gives the senders of fake news platforms to instantly and continuously spread their content. 

Don't be a victim and know what to look for

Some fake news can just be ignored, and some can affect you badly if you don’t ignore it, or if you believe it. For example, a person received a non-official message about school holidays during the semester and he sent it out directly to all his family members through Whatsapp groups. His relatives saw the message and got surprised because the school didn’t inform them about any holidays.

So, what did you think you would have done if you read that message?

Did you immediately share it with family or friends?! ignore it? or validate it? There are many actions you will take according to and base on how ready you are to deal with news from social media.

As this news could have been true or false, the question is how to deal with it?  Because we should know that Social Media is a good servant but a poor master.  Meaning, social media shouldn't control our life, but it should serve us.

Some people will automatically share the post with family relatives and friends without calculating the consequences, but is this the right move? Wouldn’t this type of news cause others to believe and not go to school? These are good questions to keep in mind!