Fake Information: Viewer Beware

Misinformation and disinformation, along with the newer and more frequently used term “fake news”, are becoming more engrained in our communications, particularly in online messaging. There are so many widespread problems with people being influenced by and possibly making ill-informed decisions based on false information that some authorities are contemplating legislation that will address fake news. On the other hand, opponents to these contemplated laws are saying that would infringe on their right to free speech.

While laws may be the appropriate approach in some situations, if the subject matter is such that it may be impossible to properly address the problem the law may be ineffective in achieving the desired results. Trying to control something that has so many variables may be an exercise in futility. In those situations, extensive and ongoing educational programs may be a more suitable initial attempt at reaching out to people and explaining the longer-term consequences associated in being victimized.

In addition to incorporating relevant educational material regarding the risks stemming from the ever-present misleading communications into school curriculums it would be helpful if governments at all levels had regular campaigns promoting the need for everyone to corroborate the factual accuracy of information they are being exposed to before formulating conclusions that are often erroneous in nature.

No matter what laws are created or what the government may do in the way of education, fake news items are now part of life. Although the Latin term “Caveat Emptor” states the buyer alone is responsible to determine the value of an item before the transaction takes place, the same thinking needs to be applied to those communications aimed at swaying the viewer with unorthodox concepts.