Survive and Thrive in the Era of Fake News
We call this the age of information technology, but a big challenge today is ‘misinformation’. The growth of fake news and the spreading of misinformation is as much fuelled by the digital and social media channels as it is used for the right news. In this era of fake news, surviving with access to the correct information is a challenge for today’s media and consumers alike. The importance of associating with a reliable advertising agency and following the right news outlet takes center stage.
What is Fake News?
Fake news can be totally fabricated stuff or satirical pieces splashed as legit information. It can be factual stories embellished with errors knowingly, misleading narratives, or just a biased perspective of a true event or news. All these categories are dangerous in themselves.
Be Aware
Fake news and misinformation are often aggressively promoted with the help of social media. It is very important to identify fake news and distinguish misinformation from legitimate ones. The faux-journalist brigade is riding the internet to disseminate fake news everywhere. And the human instinct to find information that matches our own perspectives helps them in propagating misinformation. Here are some basic tips on surviving the fake news era are:
- Verify the source of the news. Research on the credibility of the websites posting the information.
- Compare information or news with mainstream channels and popular websites. If something sounds too good to be true, chances are it is fake news!
- Try to stay well-informed about trending news topics and popular product information. General awareness gives you the ability to filter out most fake news.
The Dangers of Fake News
In a society, fake news will spread misinformation among the public so that no one will be able to agree on basic facts. This creates an impossible scenario for a society to function properly. There are many vulnerable individuals and sections in society who stand the chance to accept fake new, and what’s more alarming, take action based on it. Hoaxes and untruths often find their way to unsuspecting consumers promising them the products and services that do not exist or work. Most fake news and advertising often swindle money and trust from gullible people.
The Way Ahead
The explosion of fake news is deplorable but it has also successfully showcased the value of real news. The fake news phenomena have led people to gravitate towards reliable sources. People are now willing to spend time and money on sources that are known for their allegiance towards complete and unbiased truth. Therefore, as an organization, it becomes imperative for you to look for advertising agencies that come with credibility and trust.
Technology itself can help by filtering misinformation and upgrading the veracity of the content. Survive and thrive in this era of fake news and deluge of false information everywhere by hiring the right digital and social media marketing agency. A reputed and trustworthy digital marketing agency in Kolkata can enable your company to rise above the fake news menace out there.
