The Importance Of Fake News

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Tweet it, hashtag it, like it, these are common phrases used on social media. Social media has arguably changed the way we communicate. However, this has proven to be quite a dangerous trend as it has introduced the term fake news. Fake news is unfortunately what many call an online epidemic and it has been quite a challenge to control it. It comes in various forms such as Instagram posts, snapchat stories and Facebook posts. Creators of fake news often incorporate verified facts with real news thus causing confusion and misleading readers. Journalism such as television and newspaper articles play a huge role in fake news. It has been known as the fourth pillar of democracy as it offers freedom of speech and media. Critics often say that fake news does two things: to make profit or promote political ideologies Such forms have had a heavy influence on politics.

Let me give you an example, the United States, in which numerous fake news influenced the public opinion on who should become the next United States President. According to statistics, during the 2016 U.S elections, 115 pro-Trump fake news was shared on Facebook 30 million times while 41 pro-Clinton fake news was shared 76 million times on …show more content…

I have always been told that Media gives us the truth and nothing but the truth. However I have realised how social media has changed the world into a fast sharing network in which it has become challenging to distinguish fake news from real news. I do believe that it is important for young children to learn media and literary skills and use these skills to build a culture of not believing everything they read on social media as it creates unnecessary anxiety and panic. If we do not make a change soon enough, we could be possibly creating a post-truth era in which people are constantly angry, alienated or

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