In this era of rapid technological advancement, online social communication platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives.
Many people rely on social media rather than mainstream media for information and news, which can lead to negative consequences for individuals, society, and the state.
This is because anyone can share information freely on social media, allowing the spread of false or distorted information to serve specific agendas of individuals and groups. Therefore, experts advise against relying on social media as a source of authentic news.
Recently, two researchers from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, Andrew Chadwick and Christian State, conducted a study on this topic.
According to their research report, social media users are increasingly falling victim to wrong and false information.
The two researchers emphasized the importance of knowing how to identify "fake news."
According to them, there are two main types of fake news on social media – “misinformation” (wrong information) and “disinformation” (rumours).
Explaining further, the researchers mentioned that "misinformation" is often published by individuals or certain social media pages with a specific purpose. This is usually done through fraudulent conspiratorial information, fabricated reports, or false data, often aimed at creating public opinion.
On the other hand, the primary purpose of “disinformation” is to mislead people, using tactics of spreading wrong information.
The researchers noted that any kind of false news on social media can cause significant harm, as many people share information without verifying it.
They advised verifying any information found on social media before sharing it. To help with this, the researchers suggested paying attention to the following:
Personal Account
Certain questions can help identify whether the information shared by a person is true or false:
- Is the person posting or sharing the information out of personal passion or a professional perspective?
- Are the facts reasonable?
- Does the information mention a reliable source?
- How important is the post or share to the person?
Business or Professional Account
Nowadays, many people use social media as a marketing strategy to achieve business objectives, often targeting specific classes. When encountering promotional information on social media, consider:
- Do you need the product or service being promoted?
- Are there similar products in the market?
- How do they compare in effectiveness?
- Is personal information being collected in providing the service or product?
Other Things to Watch Out For
"Trustworthy and trusted media sources should be listed," said Joey Carrigan, senior security engineer at the Johns Hopkins Information Society Institute in the UK.
In a report published on the Johns Hopkins University website, Carrigan added: “News reporting and personal opinion must be distinguished. Newspapers often express the opinions of different people. Any professional-quality news organization separates their reporting from others' opinions. These distinctions should be noted on social media.”
Additionally, Carrigan mentioned that it is possible to verify information using various fact-checking tools. “These types of tools help identify fake news. But remember – seeing with your own eyes doesn't always mean believing.”
Meanwhile, the spread of misinformation using AI-generated images and deepfake videos has also increased.
Regarding this issue, Carrigan said: “Anything that comes out on social media should be viewed with a sharp eye and suspicion. You can't just jump and believe any news.”
