FAKE NEWS

A synopsis to the widespread disinformation across mainstream and social media platforms
By: Lloid G. Laureta

Fake news is an illusory rumor that appears to be legitimate news. Whether it’s about government
and politics, showbiz and recent trends, life and personal beliefs, fabricated information is
rampantly increasing throughout the social media. Pulse Asia’s recent survey declared that 80% of
Filipinos see fake news as a problem. (CNN Philippines, October 11). This percentage is
significant as fake news will have a huge impact on our society, and people's reasoning can be
influenced by the misinformation obtained from the social media as well as decisions that play an
important role in our lives.
An increasing rate of fake news can have a serious effect on how people think. People tend to be
hypercritical based on what they see and read on the internet. It can also have an impact on their
political views that could possibly cause a wrong belief. These effects are serious consequences
that our government need to address to mitigate a problem that the country is facing.
In this rapidly evolving time where everything moves so fast, people with intention to propagate
massive disinformation take advantage of the technology thus we need to combat them. It's never
too late to fight fake news and the people behind them. There are several ways to eradicate false
information dissemination and to stop reaching the vulnerable population.
Never share anything on social media without checking the sources. Our social media accounts are
our responsibility. We need to properly check the veracity of information we share. Remember that
there are people looking up to you and always believing whatever you post on social media thus
proper fact checking helps a lot to spread right and accurate information.
Check your biases and preconceived ideas. Media bias happens when writers and journalists allow
their own opinions to affect the news they report and the way that they report it. It is also true for
us, readers as our opinions may affect our thought process to certain information we are reading.
Removing your bias from different social media contents will help you decipher which one is true
and not.
Read a variety of sources from different outlets. Another way to make sure you’re reading authentic
news and information is to read a variety of sources provided by reliable outlets. See what different
platforms are saying about the same issue. By doing so, you can be able to compare and contrast
information posted on their outlets and platforms therefore spotting what's fact and bias.
The Government should organize seminars combating fake news in educational institutions.
Education is important for young people. By giving them symposiums, training, and seminars, we
can save them from drowning in a pool of fake news and disinformation. Honing them to become
critical thinkers and vigilant readers will make them great citizens of the nation.
It is clear that there are ways to promote timely, accurate and civil discourse in the face of fake
news and disinformation. In today’s constantly changing time, everyone has a responsibility to
combat the surge of massive false information dissemination. This ranges from the promotion of
strong norms of critical thinking, supporting investigative journalism and constant education to
the young and vulnerable.
Together as we take the steps toward truth, progress, and development, let us all end disinformation
by joining hands together in creating a country free from fake news.