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.

Outlines

00:00

📰 The Psychology Behind Believing in Fake News

This paragraph delves into the concept of 'fake news' and its more academic term, 'disinformation'. It outlines the criteria that classify information as disinformation: the presence of falsehoods or distortions, potential harm to society, and the intent to cause harm. The paragraph also touches on how psychological factors such as confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and blind idolatry contribute to the spread and belief in fake news. It highlights the role of language and information as tools of power and how authorities may use disinformation for propaganda. The paragraph concludes with a note on how the biggest victims of disinformation are those who believe in it.

05:02

🌐 Disinformation in the Digital Age

Paragraph 2 discusses the current disinformation environment, noting the prevalence of anti-media rhetoric and the public's distrust of institutions. It explores how people turn to alternative sources for information, which may not be reliable but are popular due to their social capital. The paragraph also examines the personal nature of information seeking and the deep attachments people form to charismatic individuals. It warns of the dangers of creating personal philosophies and moral compasses that can hinder individual growth. The summary also mentions the use of heuristics as mental shortcuts that can lead to snap decisions and the role of social media in spreading disinformation, citing examples of coordinated inauthentic behavior and the removal of fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

10:04

🛡 Combating Disinformation: A Multifaceted Approach

The third paragraph addresses the issue of disinformation on social media platforms and the measures taken by these platforms to combat it, such as rules against spam and manipulation. It acknowledges that while platforms have made efforts, the creation of new accounts can continue the spread of disinformation. The paragraph emphasizes that trust and social relationships play a crucial role in the spread of false information, which can occur both online and offline. It also discusses the organic nature of belief change within communities and families. The paragraph warns against the misuse of fear in spreading disinformation and calls for a multifaceted solution involving journalists, civil society, and technical literacy education to discern truth from falsehood online.

Keywords

💡Fake News

Fake news refers to false information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. In the video, it is discussed as a phenomenon that spreads misinformation and can have detrimental effects on society, particularly in democratic contexts. The script mentions that fake news is part of a broader issue of disinformation, which includes not only false news but other forms of deceitful content.

💡Disinformation

Disinformation is a more encompassing term than fake news, as it includes various forms of deceitful content beyond just news articles. The script defines it by three criteria: containing falsehood or distortion of facts, the potential to harm society, and an intent to deceive. It is a key concept in understanding the video's theme of the psychological impact and spread of false information.

💡Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is a psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or values. In the context of the video, it is one of the three concepts behind the psychology of believing in fake news. The script uses it to explain why people might be more inclined to accept fake news that aligns with their personal beliefs.

💡Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experiences discomfort due to holding contradictory beliefs or values. The script provides the example of smoking a cigarette, where the person might know it's harmful but continues the habit due to the inconsistency between knowledge and behavior. It is related to the video's theme by illustrating the discomfort people might feel when confronted with information that challenges their beliefs.

💡Propaganda

Propaganda is a form of communication that aims to influence the attitude and behavior of a population toward a specific cause or position. In the script, it is mentioned as a tool used by figures of authority to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion, often by dismissing accurate information and promoting fake news.

💡Media Literacy

Media literacy refers to the ability to critically evaluate and create media in a variety of forms. The video emphasizes the importance of media literacy in combating the spread of fake news and disinformation. It suggests that campaigns to improve media literacy can help people discern truth from falsehood in the information they encounter online.

💡Social Media

Social media platforms are highlighted in the script as significant channels for the spread of fake news and disinformation. The video discusses how these platforms have been used in various political campaigns and how they have taken measures to combat the spread of false information, such as removing fake accounts and pages.

💡Heuristics

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that individuals use to make quick decisions or solve problems. The script mentions heuristics in the context of people being prone to making snap judgments, especially when they do not have the time or resources to thoroughly evaluate information, which can contribute to the spread of fake news.

💡Fear

Fear is discussed in the video as a powerful motivator that can be used unethically to spread fake news. It is suggested that fear can be a call to action, but when used to manipulate people into making wrong choices or spreading misinformation, it becomes immoral and unethical.

💡Accountability

Accountability refers to the expectation of being answerable for one's actions. In the script, fake news is described as a tool used to deflect accountability or scrutiny from media, regulators, and other authorities. It implies that spreading disinformation can be a way for individuals or entities to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

💡Trust

Trust is a central theme in the video, as it relates to the acceptance and sharing of information, particularly within social circles and communities. The script discusses how trust in alternative sources of information, even when they lack credibility, can lead to the spread of disinformation and the dismissal of accurate news.

Highlights

Fake news is an oxymoron as news should always be true and factual.

Disinformation is a more encompassing term for deceitful content beyond just news.

Criteria for disinformation include falsehood, potential harm to society, and intent to harm.

Psychological factors like belief and behavior play a role in the spread of fake news.

Confirmation bias leads individuals to align their beliefs with their activities and virtues.

Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is an incompatibility between belief systems.

Language and information are tools of power and politics, often used in propaganda and rhetoric.

Fake news is used to deflect accountability and scrutiny from media and regulators.

Anti-media populist rhetoric is prevalent, leading to distrust in institutions and reliance on alternative sources.

People seek information from alternative sources that may not be reliable but are popular due to social capital.

Deep attachments to charismatic individuals can lead to the creation of personal philosophies and moral compasses.

The Philippines is labeled as 'patient zero' for the spread of misinformation globally.

Facebook and Instagram have removed accounts from the Philippines for violating policies against foreign interference.

Twitter has also suspended accounts from the Philippines for spam and manipulation.

The spread of disinformation is not just online; it happens within immediate circles and families.

People who share fake news often do so from a position of concern, not necessarily malice.

Fear is a powerful tool in spreading fake news, but it becomes unethical when used for manipulation.

Combating fake news requires a multifaceted approach involving fact-checking, media literacy, and technical literacy.

Transcripts

why does it spread and why do we believe

it

so

on the psychology of fake news here's

what you need to know

first of all

fake news in scholarship in fact

news is an oxymoron because in in the

debate of news you should always be true

and factual right so the the more

technical term that is used it's more

encompassing it's not just news but

other forms of deceitful content is in

fact called disinformation now there are

criterias to uh what we consider this

information first is that you know it

contains falsehood or distortion of

facts second is that it can harm you

know society in particular especially in

the context of you know democracies and

the last one that is this thing uh for

this information and not misinformed is

the intent to harm

hindi nabago mahachismi's conspiracy

theories

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and the biggest victim talaga are those

who believe it

is psychologist

this is tied with our psychology belief

and behavior

and then a behavior let's look at three

concepts behind the psychology of faith

news

and confirmation bias

cognitive dissonance

at blind idolatry

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usually confirmation bias union in

textbook definition

we tend to create our own definition of

reality and we work towards aligning our

belief systems with our activities and

virtues when we talk about cognitive

dissonance

normally incompatible belief system

the example is smoking a cigarette

language word and information are the

currency of power and politics

figures of authority

propaganda at rhetoric

fake news to dismiss accurate

information

no fake news it's just used to deflect

accountability or questioning or

scrutiny from you know media from

regulators from my regulators man who

can you know who understands the

disinformation

environment we have we know that there's

a lot of anti-media populist uh

rhetoric being thrown around by the

state by other actors so

in in the in in the context where

there's heightened distrust of

institution where do you seek

information it's in the alternative

sources which are not people who can

really vouch for this information but

they do are out there and you know are

quite popular in fact because of that

you know social capital they have on

time

it's something very personal and usually

based on research then the male 1 of us

we have deep

attachments but charismatic human

individuals

because it makes us comfortable in the

philippines

dangerous

for example

creating our own philosophical

philosophies our own

moral compass

you

you what is good is right it doesn't

really make us grow as individuals but

putting them above everything else that

is when it becomes dangerous

in control

of your own destiny of your own journey

people strive to make sense of issues

heuristics

um it's a mental shortcut

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aside from being prone to making snap

decisions not everyone has the luxury of

time

for example you wanna interviews well

nobody has the time to you know

devote their whole four hours five hours

to listen to the difference

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across social media

a lot of reports actually label the

philippines as you know patient zero all

this information prices globally um and

whatever the you know strategies and

tactics executed in the u.s election

brexit campaign

filipinas

experimentation

misrepresentation and spam policies

including coordinated inauthentic

behavior and the use of fake accounts

they also removed 64 facebook accounts

32 pages and 33 instagram accounts

nanakmulaza pilipinas for violating

their policy against foreign or

government interference no september

2020.

january 2021 sinuspin on twitter and

accounts

rules on spam and manipulation on social

media platform

the thing is you know these these um

networks supposedly the platforms have

addressed this some of them may not be

done on content

accounts it's not enough because again

you can always create new ones even if

my management the thing is if if this

information is all about trust all about

social relationships that can happen

offline as well and i've seen that you

know it really happens within your

immediate circle you don't go to a

stranger and change their mind

they admit happens organically in your

own community in your own family even

and they like to think that people

who do not know it it's fake news are

number one um they're coming from a

position of concern

that they simply want to share in

premature

um

but but carrying the bayongnayong

sharing is caring it's not necessarily

really caring

concern

uh

of fake news

fear is important because we want a call

to action now fear becomes important

when we live when when when

when it is real

peru it becomes

immoral it becomes unethical if you use

fear

to get

votes or to get uh to do

for you to spread fake news because

at the end of the day what will happen

to people

um

they would or because

they will always make the wrong choices

the solution to this is multifaceted

it's not just the journalist doing fact

checking it's not just the civil society

doing media literacy campaigns it's the

technical literacy that's being taught

it's not really the analytical part of

things to discern what is true what is

falsehood online so i think we need to

double down on that in the same manner

it's the same thing

you

it doesn't really help anybody else

except

some of the benefits

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news

you