(1/7) #Whoownsthetruth: #Fakenews, conspiracy theories and manipulated reporting have been with us since the beginning of time. But in today’s digital world, especially on #socialmedia, they are omnipresent and increasingly influencing social values, changing opinions on critical issues and topics and redefining beliefs and facts. #technology
(2/7) In the dissemination of false information and conspiracy theories, attention is often paid to ensuring that everyone has the same opinion and accepts false information as #truth. The aim is to gain control of public opinion by steering the perception of many people in the same direction. #Clickbait headlines in particular try to grab attention with shocking statements, even if the truth often falls by the wayside. #Whoownsthetruth
(3/7) Examples of the impacts of #fakenews and manipulated reporting range from influencing the scientific basis of man-made #climatechange to rigging presidential elections. But it is not only in current affairs that fake news and manipulated reporting play a role. Images have also been taken out of their temporal, spatial and contextual context and manipulated in reporting on war and suffering.
(4/7) A well-known example of this is one of the most widely used war images. The detail of the image gives the impression that locals are being chased by soldiers. Only when you look at the whole picture you realise that the supposed soldiers are not soldiers at all. Such cases of distorted war reporting are not unique but have occurred regularly throughout history. #fakenews
(5/7) In the age of #socialmedia and constant information, it's important to be aware of how media can change our perception of #reality. We need authenticity and truth in the stories we're told, but who can we trust to interpret the #truth? Whistleblowers like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange have dealt with unpleasant truths and found a way to deal with liars in power, but at what cost?
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