Fake news, according to Mobile and Social Media Journalism: A Practical Guide for Multimedia Journalism, by Anthony Adornato, is "the deliberate fabrication of information with the intent to deceive."
I agree with this definition since intention is important in defining fake news, as this distinguishes misinformation from disinformation. Misinformation is getting the facts wrong- not usually associated with intent to deceive.
Adornato refers to seven types of misinformation and disinformation as explained by First Draft, a nonprofit that helps to verify online content.
1. Satire or Parody
2. Misleading Content
3. Imposter Content
4. Fabricated Content
5. False Connection
6. False Context
7. Manipulated Context
Satire or parody involves no intention to cause harm while misleading content frames an issue or individual in a specific way. Impersonating genuine sources creates imposter content, fabricated content is entirely false and designed to deceive readers. False connections occur when visuals or headlines do not support the content, and false context occurs when real content is shared with false contextual information. When genuine information is manipulated to trick others, manipulated content is created.
The spread of false information online has contributed to the public's low trust in the media, according to Adornato's book. The key components of fake news involve leaving out facts in an effort to deceive and distort truth, misuse of data, and taking information out of context.
Adornato warns of online sites that appear to share real reporting, including hyperpartisan political websites and social media accounts. Adornato discusses the increase of disinformation online during election years largely throughout his book.
Content Moderation
Technology companies have been criticized for not curbing false information online sooner, according to Adornato. Algorithms and social media platforms favor articles that have been clicked the most, and distributors of fake news profit off this traffic. Technology companies such as Google and Facebook have made efforts to take down ads that are misleading, often distributed by fake news sites.
Content moderation by technology companies has become a topic of debate. Technology companies do have a responsibility to monitor content that is dangerous to the public, but drawing a definite line between content moderation and free speech can be challenging to navigate. Legal questions come into play, as technology companies and online platforms are often shielded from liability by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act when users post harmful content online. Adornato writes that the issue of fake news goes beyond content moderation and has become increasingly problematic with algorithms of search engines.
Journalists and Fake News
Collaborations between educators and journalists help reporters to navigate the effects of fake news. Adornato writes about initiatives to increase digital media literacy, the role of journalism, and reporting basics. Guidance for fact checking is important and essential for newsroom social media policies. U.S. news media company TEGNA has partnered with the nonprofit First Draft to offer guidance for their journalists to identify and verify false information online. Educating each other on how to verify facts helps to rebuild public trust in journalism.
How to Identify Fake News
1. Check your emotions
2. Stay aware of your biases
3. Think before you share
4. Consider and evaluate the source
5. Consider the tone
6. Check the source's social media history
7. Check the URL and what is being reported elsewhere
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