How fake news causes real damage-edited by Aishee Biswas

News is a very important aspect which plays an extremely eminent role in everybody’s lives.  However, one fake news in the market, a whole lot of chaos can begin. It is critical for the journalists and the fact checkers to re-evaluate and re-check the news induced. Sometimes, fake news could be harmless however there are times when fake news has destroyed lives of people. There are several cases to observe when people were sentenced to years of imprisonment when incorrect information was released in the print media or any other form of media. It remains uncertain whether the efforts made by Google and Facebook to combat fake news will have a substantial impact. 

 

Nevertheless, fake stories disguised as legitimate journalism are unlikely to vanish since they have become a source of income for some writers and a tool to influence public opinion. Although Americans acknowledge that fake news confuses their understanding of current issues and events, they still spread it. According to a December 2016 Pew Research Center survey, 23% of U.S. adults knowingly or unknowingly shared fake news with friends and others.

 

The term  "fake news"  has different meanings depending on the context: Clickbait, Propaganda, Poor quality journalism, Misleading headlines, Imposter content, Satire or parody.

 

The news media has extensively covered fake news and other forms of misinformation, yet scholars are still grappling with the issue, such as how it spreads and why some people believe it or actively seek it out. Journalist's Resource has compiled academic studies to assist newsrooms in understanding the problem and its impact. The proliferation of fake news has exposed the weakening of traditional institutions that once served as a barricade against misinformation in the digital age. The issue has become a global concern, yet many questions remain unanswered regarding the susceptibility of individuals, institutions, and society to manipulation by malicious actors. 

 

To address this, a new system of safeguards is needed. Although fake news has a long history, we focus specifically on the recent politically motivated form and the scientific inquiries that have arisen as a result. Additional resources for further reading can be found in the supplementary materials, in addition to the selected references mentioned in the text.

 

Although misinformation is not a new phenomenon, with the term "fake news" dating back to the 19th century, the internet and social media have revolutionized how it is generated and disseminated. Before the internet, individuals relied on established news outlets with journalists bound by stringent codes of ethics for information. The internet has opened up novel avenues for publishing, distributing, and consuming news and information with few regulations or editorial controls. Consequently, many individuals currently obtain news from online sources and social media platforms, but distinguishing between accurate and false stories can be challenging.

 

The spread of fake news is facilitated by social media bots, which disseminate articles end masse, irrespective of their sources' credibility. Bots can generate fraudulent online profiles that amass followers, recognition, and influence - some of which are designed to propagate disinformation.