Fake News

The term “fake news” has become a dog whistle to many political and non-political figures. It is sprinkled throughout articles, slapped on headlines, and smothered all over various Twitter accounts. The word is employed so frequently that it has lost some of its meaning. Which begs the question, what exactly is fake news?

Fake news is a false or misleading story. This straightforward definition encapsulates various situations and media moments. The phrase has evolved into a trigger term employed when disagreeable information is published.

Donald Trump posted a Tweet in 2017 referencing Bernie Sander’s “ban” from CNN for using the term “fake news” to describe the network. The ban Trump referenced never existed and his tweet caused rumors to swirl.

The Twitterverse is similar to a high school hallway in that misleading information is constantly circulating. One time I shared information regarding a teacher’s recent “firing”. This breaking news turned out not to be true, calling into question my credibility.

A high school disinformation scandal is not as damaging as newsroom misconduct. The media and journalists must remind themselves of the gravity of their position. With their pen, they have the power to end careers and determine the trajectory of major events.

Journalists can combat fake news with grit. The establishment media is out of touch with honesty because they are at the beck and call of a political agenda. Companies must encourage their public relations team, journalists, and media members to report the truth, despite the damage it may cause.

While the fight against misinformation begins with journalists, it also reaches everyday people. Below are some simple ways everyday individuals can combat the fake news epidemic.

1. Consider the source. CNN, NPR, Daily Wire, and Fox all have an audience to entertain and an agenda to maintain. Before reading evaluate who wrote and published the article.
2. Read multiple articles. William Cowper states “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.” A diverse set of sources builds a well-informed individual who can recognize misleading information.
3. Discuss with friends, family, and colleagues. Dialogue seems to be dying in the digital era, but now more than ever is when we need it. Discourse helps individuals to identify possible fallacies and personal biases.
4. Report faulty information. Once the sources have been considered, the articles have been read and discussion has taken place, it is time to take action. Most social media platforms allow users to report information that may be false.