University of Kwazulu-Natal

Pdf The Pursuit Of Truth Fixes For The Spread Of Online Mis Disinforma

Bonisiwe Shabane
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pdf the pursuit of truth fixes for the spread of online mis disinforma

The Rise of Disinformation in the Digital Age: A Global Epidemic The proliferation of false information, whether disguised as rumors, disinformation, or outright fabrications, has reached an alarming level, dominating the public sphere and eroding trust in traditional media. Kellyanne Conway’s infamous "alternative facts" remark during the Trump administration, once met with widespread condemnation, now appears as a harbinger of a disturbing trend. The digital age, with its instantaneous communication and vast social media platforms, has amplified this phenomenon to an unprecedented scale, blurring the lines between reality and fabrication. The old adage about a lie traveling halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes now seems quaint; in today’s interconnected world, falsehoods circumnavigate the globe multiple times before the truth... This explosion of disinformation becomes particularly dangerous in volatile geopolitical contexts.

The case of Bangladesh following the July-August revolution serves as a prime example. Rumour Scanner Bangladesh documented hundreds of false claims within a mere three months, many strategically designed to bolster support for the former ruling party. These narratives, often improbable, gain traction because they resonate with pre-existing biases and beliefs. The incident in Noakhali’s Chatkhil, where Jubo League activists protested based on a false rumor about Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s resignation and flight, illustrates how online falsehoods can manifest in real-world actions and consequences. This incident highlights the potent combination of coordinated disinformation campaigns and the susceptibility of individuals to narratives that confirm their existing worldview.

The complicity in spreading disinformation extends beyond individuals and political groups. Even respected news outlets like The New York Times have been implicated. Judith Miller’s reporting on Iraq’s alleged WMD program prior to the 2003 invasion, later revealed to be based on fabricated intelligence, serves as a stark reminder of how mainstream media can contribute to the... Such incidents further erode public trust in traditional media, pushing audiences towards the often-unverified content readily available on social media. This erosion of trust creates a vacuum that is readily filled by the appealing simplicity and confirmation bias offered by online echo chambers. The decline in trust in mainstream media, perceived as biased or compromised, has fueled the rise of social media as a primary source of information.

The sheer volume of easily accessible, often unverified, content exposes users to rampant misinformation. A viral video in Bangladesh depicting an elderly man’s suicide, initially attributed to familial conflict but later revealed to be related to debt, exemplifies how emotionally charged false narratives can quickly gain traction and... This case highlights the susceptibility of individuals to emotionally manipulative content, particularly within the context of social media’s rapid dissemination capabilities. Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser. Attempts to influence people’s beliefs through misinformation have a long history.

In the age of social media, however, there is a growing fear that the circulation of false or misleading claims will be more impactful than ever now that sophisticated technological means are available to... Should democratic societies worry about misinformation? If so, is it possible and desirable for them to control its spread by regulating it? This chapter offers an answer to these questions. First, I propose a definition of misinformation and explain how it proliferates in online contexts. Second, I consider four reasons to worry about misinformation by discussing its likely impact on people’s political opinions, emotions, physical safety and personal autonomy.

Third, I assess three strategies for regulating misinformation—individual self-regulation, platform-based innovations and governmental action—and suggest that the most effective ones are those that spare human ... The COVID-19 virus pandemic was a new environment in which social media was given the opportunity to show its negative role as a space for spreading misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories, which ultimately... After a series of cases in which it was confirmed that social media, through the unreliability of content and its manipulativeness, led to political decisions based on lack of facts, the pandemic is a... Attempts of self-regulation by technology companies have not come close to making social media more reliable, nor have they reduced their manipulative influence, so there is a need for other systems, such as state... Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2016

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The Rise Of Disinformation In The Digital Age: A Global

The Rise of Disinformation in the Digital Age: A Global Epidemic The proliferation of false information, whether disguised as rumors, disinformation, or outright fabrications, has reached an alarming level, dominating the public sphere and eroding trust in traditional media. Kellyanne Conway’s infamous "alternative facts" remark during the Trump administration, once met with widespread condemnatio...

The Case Of Bangladesh Following The July-August Revolution Serves As

The case of Bangladesh following the July-August revolution serves as a prime example. Rumour Scanner Bangladesh documented hundreds of false claims within a mere three months, many strategically designed to bolster support for the former ruling party. These narratives, often improbable, gain traction because they resonate with pre-existing biases and beliefs. The incident in Noakhali’s Chatkhil, ...

The Complicity In Spreading Disinformation Extends Beyond Individuals And Political

The complicity in spreading disinformation extends beyond individuals and political groups. Even respected news outlets like The New York Times have been implicated. Judith Miller’s reporting on Iraq’s alleged WMD program prior to the 2003 invasion, later revealed to be based on fabricated intelligence, serves as a stark reminder of how mainstream media can contribute to the... Such incidents furt...

The Sheer Volume Of Easily Accessible, Often Unverified, Content Exposes

The sheer volume of easily accessible, often unverified, content exposes users to rampant misinformation. A viral video in Bangladesh depicting an elderly man’s suicide, initially attributed to familial conflict but later revealed to be related to debt, exemplifies how emotionally charged false narratives can quickly gain traction and... This case highlights the susceptibility of individuals to em...

In The Age Of Social Media, However, There Is A

In the age of social media, however, there is a growing fear that the circulation of false or misleading claims will be more impactful than ever now that sophisticated technological means are available to... Should democratic societies worry about misinformation? If so, is it possible and desirable for them to control its spread by regulating it? This chapter offers an answer to these questions. F...