By Fr Shaiju Vadakkemury –
As coronavirus spread globally, a tsunami of ‘fake news’ about the virus has been flooding the Internet. Many false theories linking the role of China or US to the origin of Covid-19 have been spreading globally. Similarly, a number of dubious health advice for the treatment and cure of the virus have been going around. Hundreds of Iranians reported to have died after consuming alcohol to treat coronavirus based on the rumours. ‘Fake news’ is dangerous. It can manipulate, deceive, harm, and damage. It is everywhere.
The challenge is how to identify ‘fake news’ so that we are not deceived by it. It means understanding what ‘fake news’ is; how ‘fake news’ spread; why ‘fake news’ amplifies on social media? who operates behind the ‘fake news’ epidemic sweeping continents?
‘Fake news’ is a contentious and inaccurately used term. As Caroline Jack in her study Lexicon of lies explains, the problem with the term ‘fake news’ is that it is used to mean a wide range of things which have different but overlapping meaning and implications. Any ‘problematic information’ such as disinformation, misinformation, political propaganda, satire, and parody are called ‘fake news’. But the meaning of each of these differs:
Misinformation is inaccurate information published unintentionally or in error. For example, journalists may misinterpret while reporting facts due to lack of proper evidence or oversight. In such cases, they might correct the errors later once they are aware of the misinformation.
Disinformation is also inaccurate information, but its intent is deliberate. The networked landscape of social media can be easily used to deliberately spread fabricated stories to mislead others. It is not easy to understand the intent of those who spread problematic stories.
Propaganda is persuasive publicity campaigns intended to manipulate and deceive public opinion or to destabilise governments or organisations. Political parties, governmental and non-governmental organisations domestically or internationally, may resort to propaganda for campaigns or indoctrinations. Distinguishing publicity and propaganda can be a challenge and greatly depends on the perception of the person seeing it.
What techniques do people use to spread fake news?
In today’s information ecosystem, anyone has the potential to spread ‘alternative facts’ using a set of techniques for amplification and escalation of that content. Some of the tools hate groups, extremists, ideologues and conspiracy theorists use for manipulating information are: publishing series of articles on the web with specific key words and search terms for page ranking, posting search-optimised persuasive videos on YouTube, sharing memes on WhatsApp, private groups and personal networks on Facebook, influencing the trending news on Twitter and channelling journalists to pick up a story. They strive to engage journalists in discussions on twitter and influence them to use certain key terms in their coverage to get visibility. What they look for is visibility of their agenda—to make others share. These actors operate on various social media groups, forums, and anonymous platforms like 4chan, and try to indoctrinate and spread false stories. Those who intend to spread deceptive information can systematically operate from any part of the world using fake accounts and stay unidentified.
One of the tools used for manipulating news on social media is BOTS. Bots are algorithm-led computer programs designed to do specific automated functions online. Various actors sometimes deploy bots on social media as proxies for automated creation of fake accounts, to join interactions, and retweet and share images and videos. Maliciously deployed bots attempt to increase traffic, mislead people, join conversations and influence public opinion.
The spreading of junk news has to also to be understood from the economics of social media. Social media is a ‘sharing economy’. The business model of social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter is data driven digital advertising. Advertisers pay these platforms based on the number of clicks and impressions. Thus, platforms have an economic advantage as clicks and engagements grow. Additionally, digital media also provides opportunities for anyone to monetise by publishing content that can spread on social media.
A ‘Catholic’ response to ‘fake news’
A Catholic response to fake news calls for fact checking and verifying the information before we share:
1. Look for a reference or a link in the post. Are there date, author/writer name in the post or in the link? Does the post give a reliable domain address?
2. Look to see if the same story is being reported in reliable news websites. Verify news from at least two legitimate sources before sharing.
3. Do a reverse image search on Google.
4. If the post you come across makes you to react strongly, then it is important to verify the news.
5. If a post is presented with absolute certainty or make big and surprising claims, then it is likely to be false or exaggerated.
After all, fake news is attractive and appealing to the emotions, so one can easily fall into the trap. When ‘fake news’ is presented well, one can easily believe it. In John 8:44, the devil is presented as the father of lies—”the devil is a liar and the father of lies.” Fight against ‘fake news’ is a fight against the devil. It is a challenge. But we can arm ourselves with the Word of God to fight the ‘fake news’: “Do not spread false reports” Exodus 23:1. “Do not lie; do not deceive one another” Leviticus: 19: 11. “‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” Dt: 5: 20. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” Colossians 3:9.
Combat fake news with Jesus, the Truth. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We possess the Truth, Jesus. “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Pope Francis says, “Truth is something you can lean on, so as not to fall. In this relational sense, the only truly reliable and trustworthy One – the One on whom we can count – is the living God.” What differentiates us Catholics is that we are people of truth.
Fight fake news with the Holy Spirit. Acts: 1:8 says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We have received the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit has not come into us empty handed but with gifts: Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of God. These are the exact weapons to fight ‘fake news’. We have them. Apply these gifts that we possess to the information that we receive on a daily basis. Make it part of your culture.
In the context of today’s information disorder, the 8th commandment, “‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” (Dt: 5: 20) receives fresh significance and implications. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this commandment “forbids misrepresenting truth in our relations with others”. We are called to be truthful, not only in our words but in avoiding every form of misrepresenting truth—including sharing of ‘fake news’.
Combat ‘fake news’ with ‘truth’. Be creative in making and sharing truth, using social media. Share truth, like truth, comment truth.
Fr Shaiju Vadakkemury, a member of Society of St Paul, is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Westminster, London. His research is in the area of social media literacy for children.