Fake news are deliberate lies! It is a problem because it may encourage hate, ignorance and dangerous actions.
Fake News
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Fake news is when someone “knowingly creates, offers, publishes, prints, distributes or circulates false information in written or electronic form”.
In Malaysia, in 2018, a new law was put in place that means anyone sharing “fake news” could face a fine of up to £90,0000 as well as a jail sentence of up to 6 years. But why?
Since the coronavirus began spreading around the world, fake news has also spread and in some cases it has lead to dangerous misinformation. People have been told to ignore guidance or follow dangerous guidance. It is therefore very important to be able to recognise fake news and avoid it.
People only tend to share fake news because they haven’t researched it or for attention because it is shocking. If people are sharing a lot of fake news, it is likely someone may see the same false information over and over again. Just because you see something all over social media doesn’t make it true.
When people publish something without checking that it's completely right, it can make people have less trust in the media. This can have a devastating impact on people when the media has important messages to give such as how to stay safe.
The Day Newspaper Task 1
Go onto www.TheDay.co.uk and login using the details below.
Search “It must be true I saw it on the internet” and select the below article. Complete the tasks at the bottom of the article. Pick and read/watch one of the “become and expert” links.
In a BBC article called “Cornovirus: The human cost of virus misinformation”, Brian Hitchens, a middle aged man from Florida explains how fake news has impacted him. When news about the Cornovirus came out, Brian and his wife believed the virus was not serious. They thought it was a hoax and no worse than the flu. They even believed it may be the government trying to control them or something to do with the 5G network. Because of this misinformation, Brian and his family did not follow advice about social distancing.
Brian realised the information he had read online was incorrect when him and his wife became so ill that they ended up in hospital. Now he is speaking to the BBC hoping others will not make the same mistake. "And now I realise that coronavirus is definitely not fake," he says, running out of breath.
Task 2
Google “Newsround how to spot fake news” or use the below link
Task…
If you are unable to see the video you may use the poster on the right to help you complete the above questions.
Ask an adult at home, a teacher or someone who is an expert on the topic in news e.g. a doctor.