Fake News and Ways to Fight Against It

            Winthrop University’s Society of Professional Journalists and Mass Communication Department hosted a cultural event titled “The Future of News in the Age of Fake News” at 7:00 p.m. last Tuesday.

People gathered in the Kinard Auditorium to listen to the five panelists from different backgrounds, who discussed the current state of fake news and ways to prevent it.

One of the moderators for the event was Dr. Nathanial Fredrick who is a mass communication professor at the University, and he said fake news is not a new development.  “Fake news is as old as news itself.  It dates back to the printing press,” said Fredrick.

According to journalistsresource.org, the term “fake news” can be defined in various ways depending on the context it is used in.  Fake news can be in the form of parodies, written pieces, or recorded segments, and it is often used to spread false information or conspiracy theories.

Susan Szczepanik, who taught TV Pro at Nease High School for 17 years before retiring, said, “When I was in journalism, I would report the news and not take a side.  Now, I am appalled.”

However, according to Mark Hayes, a panelist and associate professor of psychology at Winthrop University, it is not surprising that fake news is so wide-spread due to the fact that it is often very appealing to the human nature. 

 “We tend to search for information that fits what we want to believe,” says Hayes.  “Confirmation bias is weighting the scales to what we already believe.”

According to Psychology Today, most people listen when news conforms to their opinions, but news that challenges what they believe is often ignored.

Bristow Marchant, a panelist and reporter at The Buzz in Columbia, agrees that people tend to disregard what they do not agree with.  He said, “You can dismiss what you don’t want to accept and that’s a long-term problem because those issues need to be addressed.”

The panelists at the event seemed to agree that fake news is a problem that is difficult to combat.  “There is a lot that goes on that makes fake news the easier choice,” says Hayes.

One of the ways in which fake news is becoming more wide-spread is attributed to its easy availability on social media according to Morgan Fogarty, a panelist and anchor on WCCB News @ 10.

“We see fake news so much more now because of social media,” said Fogarty.  “A lot of what is fake news online looks very legitimate.”

Fake news is not likely to disappear anytime soon because it is still being circulated according to journalistsresource.org. 

An article on the website said, “Even as Americans recognize that fake news causes confusion about certain issues and events, they continue to circulate it.  A December 2016 survey by the Pew Research Center suggests that 23 percent of U.S. adults have shared fake news, knowingly or unknowingly, with friends and others.”

Zack Bias, a mass communication student from Troy University agrees that people sharing fake news articles are the main problem.  He said, “People are just believing stories just from the headline and then hitting share.  They take the headline as a fact.”

According to Fogarty, there is fluff in fake news articles that distracts consumers from the real news and facts.  “We’ve got a media diet where we’re more interested in the sizzle than the substance,” said Fogarty.

Although there does not appear to be a clear-cut way to put an end to fake news, many people have ideas on how it can be minimalized.

According to Hayes, “If you want to stop fake news, tone down the emotion, take time and check the source.”

Hayes also provided a list of steps to help people combat fake news.  He said people should sign up for a fact check service, stop repeating unconfirmed news, and open their minds to opposing viewpoints.

In addition to Hayes advice, Harvard Library provided five ways to become aware of and prevent being tricked by fake news articles.  The steps included considering the source, checking the URL, looking for visual clues, getting a second opinion, and using a browser plugin that flags fake news.

 

http:/guides.library.harvard.edu/fake

Marchant took a different approach to combating fake news.  He believes websites such as Facebook is used by some as a primary source for news and should therefore act as a gatekeeper that blocks fake news.  He said, “Facebook is now a media outlet where people go to find their news.”

Ryan Brooks, a panelist and student double majoring in mass communications and political science, said he thinks there should be more classroom conversations regarding fake news.  “Understanding media literacy is a big thing people in my social circles and classes talk about,” said Brooks.

Anna Douglas, a panelist, Winthrop alumni, and Regional Correspondent at the McClatchy D.C. Bureau, also believes there should be a responsible consumption class offered to students to teach how to combat fake news.

Although each panelist had his or her own ideas about the best ways to reduce the prominence of fake news, there is no clear-cut answer to eliminate it from society completely.

“Fixing fake news is going to be an issue we will deal with for quite some time,” said Fogarty.