In 2017, “fake news” was listed as the “Word of the Year” by Collins Dictionary. From then on, you’ll be hard-pressed to scroll through any media site or news channel without this word being mentioned. Political figures like Donald Trump and Joe Biden have been accused of fabricating stories to fit their narrative or campaign. While many people have assumed that fake news is the problem of the Trump era, there is actually quite a bit of history behind “fake news.” So, how did we get here? Let’s go into a brief, but important, history of fabrication and propaganda.
What is Fake News?
According to Dictionary.com, fake news is defined as “false news, usually sensational, created to be widely shared or circulated for the purpose of making money, or promoting or discrediting a famous person, political organization, company, etc. .”
In short, fake news is propaganda. Big difference, asThe guard newspaper reporter Natalie Nougayrède pointed out, that in today’s world technology makes it very easy to spread false propaganda. At the same time, the technology is there to test the claims and help you sort out the truth from the lies.
That said, misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, and so-called fake news is nothing new. We have been dealing with it for centuries.
Fake news goes back further than you think
Misinformation, disrespect, and propaganda can be traced back to the days of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Meanwhile, Octavian fought Antony with a propaganda campaign. He wanted to tarnish his name, so he started spreading lies. Octavian came up with short, sharp slogans written on coins. Think of it as the classic Tweet.
The coins told people that Antony was a womanizer and a drunkard. He also alleged that Antony was Cleopatra’s puppet and was corrupted by his affair with her. You probably know how this story ends. Octavian became Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome. “Fake news” allowed him to hack the system and becomethe ruler.That seems unbelievable, but it is true.
Over time, the development of various means of communication has made it easier to spread lies. The invention of Gutenberg’s printing press in 1493 increased the ability to get propaganda and misinformation out to the masses. Ultimately, it led to the first instance of fake news, the Great Moon Hoax of 1835.
The Modern Age of Artificial Intelligence
Recent inventions such as radio, television, the Internet, and social media have all made it easier to spread fake news. In many cases, claims can go viral and spread before they are identified as false, meaning that there are a large number of people who have seen it and believe it to be true. In a society like today’s where everyone seems to rely on stories that fit their beliefs, many people feel that they should be able to make up their own stories or choose what not to believe.
Today, it is called “information disorder syndrome.” Information Disorder Syndrome is the sharing or development of false information with or without intent to harm and is classified as false information, misinformation, and misinformation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
So, what can we do to fight fake news?
How to Fight Fake News
Don’t feel powerless. There are things you can do to combat fake news. First and foremost, double check the information you receive. Do not trust that your ancestor shares the truth of the gospel. If you see someone sharing something like “People are eating dogs and cats in Ohio,” do a Google search. Read a few articles. Familiarize yourself with the facts of what we have said. In most cases, you will find there isothers the truth in what people say. And they rarely share false information on purpose.
For your part, you can ensure that all the information you share is true, beyond doubt. Make sure you have reliable sources of information and don’t fall prey to mixed media that is really propaganda. Ultimately, when you spread fake news, you are spreading propaganda… for free. He is advancing someone’s political campaign or agenda. So, do your due diligence and check things out before sharing, mentioning, or disseminating information.
Have you been affected by fake news in any way? Let us know your experience in the comments.
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