Truth Decay Is a Threat to Democracy
The term “fake news” is now so widely used in this country that is has become a punchline for comics and late-night talk show hosts.
But the threat of “fake news” is not a laughing matter:
- Today 8 in 10 Americans get their news on digital devices where disinformation and misinformation is rampant.
- Fake news can spread up to 10 times faster than true reporting on social media, according to researchers from MIT.
- False news stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted than true ones.
- Misinformation is rampant on platforms like TikTok. A 2023 study from the University of Arizona found that about 40% of medical videos on TikTok contained medical misinformation.
Truth Decay, a term coined by the RAND Corporation, is what happens when disinformation spreads rapidly online, blurring the line between fact and fiction and threatening our democracy. But there are ways to counter Truth Decay. Read on to learn how.
8 Steps to Counter Truth Decay
Simply put, if citizens don’t have accurate information, they may make their voting decisions based on lies. This is why it is important to understand what fake news is, how
to identify it, and how to seek out credible information sources. Here are eight steps to counter Truth Decay:
- Know What Disinformation Is
Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead – in other words, which intentionally misstates the facts. It is different from misinformation, which is getting the facts wrong but is not necessarily malicious. - Know How and Why Disinformation Is Spread
Disinformation and misinformation are spread via social media, streaming video platforms, messaging apps and fake news sites to sow distrust in elections and institutions and seed doubt in democracy itself. - Beware of Clickbait and Deep Fakes
Clickbait are articles featuring sensational and misleading headlines to get people to click on them, and that link to partisan sites with the goal of spreading fake news to the maximum number of viewers. Deepfakes, on the other hand, use artificial intelligence to create convincing but entirely fictional photos, videos and audios with “voice skins” or “voice clones” of public figures. There are ways to spot deep fakes, such as eyes that do not blink, strange lip-syncing, unusual skin tones on faces, and minute details like teeth and hair strands that look odd. - Seek Out Reputable Information Sources
Where do you find the real facts in an era of Internet hoaxes and fake news? Seek reputable, long-standing news sources that abide by a code of ethics and are staffed by professional journalists. This includes national and local newspapers, wire services, magazines and award-winning radio and television networks. - Verify and Cross Check Sources
Before accepting content as factual on social media sites and partisan websites, verify the information by using independent fact-checking sources, such as Snopes,
FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact. Then, cross-reference the information with multiple reputable sources to ensure accuracy.
- Think Critically
Be skeptical of clickbait headlines and sensational claims that are intended to get a rise out of you. Also, look at the date of online article to make sure the information is current and not a restatement of out-of-date statistics. - Pause Before Sharing
Social media sites make it easy to share, but just because we can do this doesn’t mean we should. Stop to verify the information before passing it on. - Push Back on Fake News
If you are aware of someone sharing disinformation, reach out in a helpful, constructive way to share your sources and engage in a respectful conversation.
Only though a common set of facts will the conditions for a democratic and free society remain intact. Do your part.