How Fake News Grows in a Post-Fact World | Ali Velshi | TEDxQueensU

Summary

In this script, a journalist recounts the confusion and challenges of verifying news in the digital age, particularly around George Michael's death. He discusses the pervasive issue of fake news, its impact on public discourse, and the difficulties it poses for legitimate journalism. The journalist emphasizes the importance of supporting reliable news sources, fact-checking, and being cautious about spreading unverified information. He highlights the role of journalism in holding power to account and warns against the dangers of undermining credible media.

Takeaways

• 📞 The speaker, a veteran journalist, recounts the confusion caused by conflicting news about George Michael's death, highlighting the prevalence of fake news.
• 🗓️ The incident with George Michael's death points to a larger issue where basic facts are obscured, hindering necessary debates and discussions.
• 🚫 The speaker clarifies that not all non-news content is fake news, distinguishing between native advertising, satire, and honest mistakes from credible news sources.
• 👤 The real problem lies with fake news disguised as journalism, which intentionally spreads misinformation and undermines the credibility of real news.
• 📰 The speaker emphasizes the importance of traditional journalism and fact-checking in discerning truth from falsehood in the era of fake news.
• 🌐 The impact of fake news is exacerbated by social media, where accusations of 'fake news' against legitimate journalists can cause lasting damage.
• 🔍 The speaker encourages the audience to fact-check and use reliable sources to combat the spread of fake news, rather than relying solely on social media shares.
• 💡 Fake news can be financially motivated, with purveyors profiting from ad revenue generated by clicks on sensational stories, regardless of their veracity.
• 🛑 The danger of fake news is not just a time suck but also its potential to influence beliefs, politics, and societal trust in institutions.
• 🛂 The speaker suggests that supporting traditional journalism and using fact-checking sites are effective ways to avoid falling for fake news.
• 📈 The script concludes with a call to action for the audience to be discerning consumers of news, to hold power accountable, and to value the role of journalism in society.

Q & A

What was the speaker doing when they received the news about George Michael's death?

The speaker was getting ready to go to dinner with their family, including their wife, kids, and in-laws.

How did the speaker verify the news about George Michael's death?

The speaker checked their reliable sources, such as the New York Times and CNN, to confirm the news.

What was the initial reaction of the speaker's mother-in-law to the news?

The speaker's mother-in-law initially believed it was a hoax and read an article from an unfamiliar website that was dated the next day.

What is the speaker's opinion on fake news?

The speaker believes that fake news sows confusion, obscures basic facts, and prevents necessary debate by making it hard to determine the truth.

How does the speaker distinguish between different types of non-news content?

The speaker distinguishes native advertising, satire, and mistakes from fake news by noting that they have signposts or lack intent to deceive.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate a mistake in reporting?

The speaker mentions a tweet they sent in 2012 about a shooting outside the Empire State Building, where they inadvertently left out the word 'no,' causing confusion.

What does the speaker say is the effect of accusing legitimate journalists of purveying fake news?

The speaker states that it damages the journalist's reputation and undermines the role of journalism in holding power to account.

What incident does the speaker mention to highlight the danger of fake news?

The speaker mentions the 'Pizzagate' incident, where a man fired shots in a DC pizza parlor believing a fake news story about a child sex slave ring.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to combat fake news?

The speaker suggests supporting traditional journalism, using fact-checking sites, and not spreading unverified information.

How does the speaker view the role of journalism?

The speaker views journalism as having two main purposes: to bear witness to events and to hold power to account.