In today’s digital age, it is easier and faster than ever to access news from around the world. Our society is hyperconnected, and breaking news spreads across the internet in a matter of seconds. While accessibility to news is essential for public relations professionals and helpful in many ways, there are threats that come along with the ability to disseminate information to anyone via any channel.
“Fake news” has been a buzzword in conversations about traditional and social media for years. It refers to deliberately misleading and false information that is spread through the news and online. Fake news is dangerous as it can manipulate public opinion and have a significant impact on our beliefs, attitudes and behavior. Fake news often serves as a way to generate clicks or ad revenue. Instead of informing readers, it pushes a particular agenda and causes social division. It can be particularly prevalent and dangerous during times of crisis or political turmoil. For example, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about cures and treatments spread rapidly on social media. The spread of disinformation led some people to try treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine without physician approval. When people accept everything they see online as fact, the impact can be detrimental.
In conjunction with the rise of fake news has been a rapid increase in the production and distribution of fake images generated by artificial intelligence (AI). As AI becomes more sophisticated, the images generated by these tools look increasingly realistic. Just this month, a set of fake images depicting Donald Trump’s fictional arrest were viewed on Twitter over 5 million times. These types of fabricated images—called “deepfakes”—can be difficult to discern from real images, particularly during times of crisis or major news events. Furthermore, if critical context is dropped as an image spreads, many users may share it under the assumption it is real.
When discussing “fake news,” media bias is another common term that is often brought into conversation. Media bias refers to the tendency of news outlets to present information in a way that supports a particular political or social agenda. One of the main dangers of media bias is that it can lead to a lack of objectivity in reporting. This can result in misinformation or incomplete information being presented to the public, which can have serious consequences. It can also lead to a loss of trust in the media, as the public may come to see news outlets as only reporting “one side” of the story. For years, media bias has caused division between American political parties, as both sides often condemn outlets for the way they choose to cover the news.
So, what can we do to combat these issues and be critical consumers of media? It is essential to always question sources of information, fact-check news stories and images before sharing them, and seek out diverse viewpoints. It is also crucial to support quality journalism and news outlets that prioritize accuracy and objectivity. You can use online resources such as AllSides to see where certain outlets rank in their bias. It is important to remember that neutral outlets are not always better and can omit critical perspectives, and it is best to read news from a variety of angles to get the full picture.
You can access the media bias tool AllSides here, https://www.allsides.com/media-bias.
Read more about AI image generation here, https://buchananpr.com/pr-peeps-here-is-another-ai-tool-you-can-start-using-immediately/