The Crime Desk: Nowadays, internet-based social media has become an essential thing in our daily lives. There are many who trust social media more than mainstream media for the information and news they need. Recently, this has become a common practice among people of all professions.
Because if something happens, most of them go to social media first to know and verify that matter. But it can lead to negative consequences for individuals, society, and the state in many areas. Because anyone can share information as they wish on social media. And with this opportunity, many people spread false or distorted information to implement 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 UK, Andrew Chadwick and Christian State, have conducted a study on the subject. In the research report, they mentioned that nowadays the users of social media are constantly victims of wrong and false information.
So it is necessary to know the ways to identify ‘fake news’. Generally, two types of fake news appear on social media. These two researchers explain that one is’misinformation’ or wrong information and the other is ‘disinformation’ or rumours.
‘Misinformation’ or wrong information
‘Misinformation’ or misinformation from a person or a particular social media page has a purpose behind it. This is usually done with hoax conspiracies, false reports, or false information. Such misinformation is usually published with the intention of creating a public opinion.
‘Disinformation’ or rumours
On the other hand, the main purpose of spreading ‘disinformation’ or rumors is to deceive. And usually disinformation tactics are used in this case. Any kind of fake news coming through social media means more damage. Because many people start’sharing’ information without verifying it. Therefore, these researchers feel the need to pay some attention to verifying wrong information through social media.
Personal account
If there is any doubt about the information provided by the person being followed, he can be questioned and verified as such. Social media generally depends on the scope of people’s use; it is not possible to calculate misinformation or rumours. So some questions can help identify fake news.
1. Is the person’sharing’ the information doing so from a personal passion or a professional perspective?
2. Content is looking at a topic.
3. Are the facts reasonable?
4. Is there a credible source in the news?
5. How important is it to the account it’s sharing from?
Business or professional accounts
Nowadays using social media to achieve business objectives is nothing new. And it is used as a propaganda tactic. In this case, information is disseminated to the general public and sometimes to specific customer groups.
So you need to try to find out if there is promotional information circulating on social media, do you need it? Are there more such products in the market? Where is the difference in their effectiveness with them? In providing the service or product, is the customer’s personal information collected or not?
In this case, Joey Carrigan, a senior security engineer at the Johns Hopkins Information Society Institute, said that trustworthy and reliable media sources should be listed.
Other things to watch out for
Joey Carrigan, senior security engineer at the UK’s Johns Hopkins Information Society Institute, said trusted and trusted media sources should be listed.
In the report published on the university’s website, he also said that a distinction must be made between news reports and personal opinions. Newspapers often express the opinions of different people. Any professional quality news organization separates their reporting and the opinions of others. These things should be taken care of on social media.
Besides, it is possible to verify the information by using various “fact-checking tools,” Kergan said; such tools help to identify fake news. But remember—at this time, seeing with the eyes does not mean believing.
Meanwhile, spreading misinformation using “AI”-based images and “deep fake” videos has also increased.
Regarding the issue, Carrigan said everything that comes on social media should be viewed with a sharp eye and suspicion. You can’t just jump and believe any news.
