Fake news pandemic: Bakit marami ang nabibiktima ng Fake News sa social media | Need To Know

Summary

The video script delves into the psychology behind the spread and belief in fake news, termed 'disinformation', which contains falsehoods and can harm society, particularly democracies. It discusses concepts like confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and the influence of language and authority figures in propagating misinformation. The Philippines is highlighted as a significant player in this disinformation environment, with social media platforms taking action against inauthentic behavior. The solution involves a multifaceted approach, including fact-checking, media literacy, and technical literacy to discern truth online.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fake news is a misnomer; the more accurate term is 'disinformation', which includes not only false news but other forms of deceitful content.
• 🔍 Disinformation is characterized by the presence of falsehoods, potential harm to society, and an intent to deceive.
• 🌐 The impact of disinformation is particularly concerning in democracies where it can undermine the political process.
• 🧠 Confirmation bias plays a role in the spread of fake news, as people tend to seek out and believe information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs.
• 🚫 Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals hold beliefs that conflict with their actions, such as continuing to smoke despite knowing the health risks.
• 🗣️ Language and information are powerful tools in the hands of politicians and figures of authority, often used to propagate propaganda and rhetoric.
• 🤔 The term 'fake news' is sometimes used to deflect accountability or scrutiny, rather than to accurately describe false information.
• 🌐 Distrust in institutions can lead people to seek information from alternative sources, which may not be reliable but are popular due to their social capital.
• 🧲 People are drawn to charismatic individuals who provide a sense of comfort and alignment with their personal philosophies and moral compass.
• 🧭 Heuristics, or mental shortcuts, are used by individuals to make quick decisions, especially when time is limited and in-depth analysis is not possible.
• 📉 The Philippines has been identified as a significant source of disinformation, with tactics used there being exported to influence global events like the U.S. election and Brexit.
• 🛑 Social media platforms have taken steps to combat disinformation, such as removing accounts that violate policies against foreign or government interference.
• 👥 The spread of disinformation often occurs within close social circles and communities, where beliefs are reinforced through organic interactions.
• 🚫 The use of fear in the dissemination of fake news can be unethical, especially when it is intended to manipulate public opinion or secure votes.
• 🔒 The solution to combating disinformation involves a multifaceted approach, including fact-checking by journalists, media literacy campaigns, and improving technical literacy to discern truth online.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe not just news but other forms of deceitful content?

The more encompassing term used is 'disinformation'.

What are the criteria for considering a piece of information as disinformation?

The criteria include: it contains falsehood or distortion of facts, it can harm society, and it is intended to deceive or cause harm.

Why is the term 'fake news' considered an oxymoron in the context of news debates?

In news debates, the expectation is that news should always be true and factual, making 'fake news' a contradictory term.

What psychological concept is often associated with people's belief in fake news?

Confirmation bias, where people tend to align their belief systems with their activities and virtues.

What is cognitive dissonance, and how does it relate to the acceptance of fake news?

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs. It relates to fake news as people may be uncomfortable accepting information that contradicts their existing beliefs.

How do language, words, and information act in the context of power and politics?

Language, words, and information are described as the currency of power and politics, often used in propaganda and rhetoric to manipulate or deflect accurate information.

What role do alternative sources of information play in the spread of disinformation?

Alternative sources, often lacking credibility, can spread disinformation when people, distrustful of institutions, seek information from these less reliable sources.

Why is it dangerous to create one's own philosophical beliefs or moral compass without critical analysis?

It can be dangerous because it may lead to the acceptance of false or harmful ideas without questioning, hindering personal growth and potentially causing harm to society.

What is a heuristic, and how does it relate to the spread of fake news?

A heuristic is a mental shortcut that helps make quick decisions. It relates to fake news as people may rely on these shortcuts instead of thorough analysis, making them more susceptible to accepting false information.

How have social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter responded to the issue of disinformation?

They have taken measures such as removing accounts and pages that violate policies against foreign or government interference, spam, and manipulation.

What is the importance of addressing the issue of disinformation from a multifaceted approach?

A multifaceted approach is important because it involves not just fact-checking by journalists or media literacy campaigns, but also technical and analytical literacy to discern truth from falsehood online.