Week 6-7
Date: 2 March 2015
Exercise: The Essay Process (Draft 1)


In this era, data and information can be transmitted to all over the world by just clicking the button on devices such as computer and smart phone. This is very efficient such that the news and information are known within a few seconds after the happening of a certain event. However, it is questionable on the reliability of information on social media because it might be too fast to come into a conclusion while the event is still happening, resulting in false information. False information or misinformation refers to “the act of giving wrong information about something” (Oxford University Press). Although everyone should be well-informed by the news promptly, it is crucial for the news to be accurate.

There are a few reasons for the spreading of false information on social media regardless intentionally or unintentionally. (Vis, 2014) states that the reporting of breaking news is a priority for some media outlet.  This might be because it can attract more subscribers and gain more profit. As such, this causes the overlook of time-consuming verification process; the news is published without ensuring that it is accurate. (Hitlin, 2003) suggests that some media outlet might intentionally release false reports to catch readers’ attraction to scandal. For example, reports that stated the crash of Trans World Airline (TWA) flight 800 was due to striking by a missile is much more exciting and attractive than accurate reports that revealed the technical problem in the plane as the root cause. In another case, one might spread false information purposely to be benefited from it.  (Guest, 2014) claims that companies might propagate the messages that are able to shape the beliefs of consumers, hence making their services or products more appealing. For example, diet is a larger factor than lack of exercise which leads to obesity; however, it is analysed that the 10 largest food companies in the world instil the concept that “lack of exercise is at least as important as diet in causing obesity”.

Misinformation is a serious problem that should be avoided, especially on social media because it has huge impacts by reaching a large amount of population within a short period of time. Misinformation might cause large scale of social panic. For example, (Chandrathil, 2012) reported a rumour on radiation leak on the border of Indiana and Michigan was spread because abnormal level of radiation was detected by two non-governmental radiation monitoring networks. Then, a YouTube video about the “radiation spike” had further spread the rumour and public started to raise their concerns by flooding the related government agencies with panicked calls. Eventually, the monitoring networks informed the public that they were suffering from equipment malfunction hence causing the false alarm. Apart from this, false information might be perceived to be true once it is widely accepted, thus affecting public understanding and knowledge. For example, the fake images and information might affect public perceptions on certain issues, which might be favourable to parties with vested interest.   

Recently, the high number of mistakes on social media has been discovered and it gains the attention from both authors who post the message and the readers. To prevent the circulating of false information, it is important for the senders and receivers to be cautious about the credibility of the source and accuracy of the information. For example, Cable-news channel MBN had released a live interview regarding Sewol Ferry Disaster in South Korea. The interviewee named Hong Ga-hye, who claimed herself as private diver said that the coast guard had stopped her from saving the survivors trapped inside the sunken Sewol. It was later found out that Ms.Hong lied about her identity and her argument was proven to be fallacious. Finally, the cable channel apologised for false reporting and not checking the identity of interviewee properly (Nam, 2014). In this case, the source of information should be verified and the information should be double checked between different sources such as the government agency.

In addition, author should not be biased on the reporting issues. (Stéphanie, 2014) suggests that in the verification process, the journalists should remove their personal emotion and also debunk the false rumour after verification. A peer review system can be implemented in the media outlet that requires authors to check on each other’s reports before the reports are allowed to publish.  On the other hand, readers should be aware of false information. (Vis, 2014) believes that readers should assume that online information is false before confirmation. They can also cross reference to more than one source or rely on reputable publishers or official statements from government agencies. In a nutshell, both sender and receiver are responsible to avoid circulation of untrue messages and information.

In conclusion, the internet is a powerful tool which makes the world become borderless. Internet users have been inundated with news and information and it becomes challenging to determine the information that can be trusted. To solve this problem, authors should be conscious and ethical to convey solid information while readers should interpret and check the reliability of the message before accepting it as a fact.

References

Chandrathil, P. (2012, June 19). Radioactive Rumor Mill Doesn’t Help Anyone. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov/2012/06/19/radioactive-rumor-mill-doesnt-help-anyone/

Guest, G. (2014, June 26). Lean-washing: Profiting from misinformation on what causes obesity. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from Michigan News: http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/22264-lean-washing-profiting-from-misinformation-on-what-causes-obesity

Hitlin, P. (2003). False Reporting on the Internet and the Spread of Rumors: Three Case Studies. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from Gnovis Journal: http://www.gnovisjournal.org/files/Paul-Hitlin-False-Reporting-on-the-Internet.pdf

Lux, A. (2008, December 12). Spread of false information causes dangers, says Sunstein. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from HAVARD LAW Today: http://today.law.harvard.edu/spread-of-false-information-causes-dangers-says-sunstein/

Nam, I.-S. (2014, May 16). Media Outlets Apologize Over Sewol Ferry Disaster Coverage. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from The Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/05/16/media-outlets-apologize-over-sewol-ferry-disaster-coverage/

Oxford University Press. (n.d.). misinformation. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from Oxford Learner's Dictionaries: http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/misinformation?q=misinformation

Stéphanie, D. (2014). Case Study 1.1: Separating Rumor From Fact in a Nigerian Conflict Zone. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from Verification Handbook: http://verificationhandbook.com/book/chapter1.1.php

Vis, F. (2014, April 16). How Does False Information Spread Online? Retrieved February 23, 2015, from social science space: http://www.socialsciencespace.com/2014/04/how-does-false-information-spread-online/