Most people read the news every day. News can evoke our emotions, be it anger towards the statistics of students being bullied on a regular basis, or happiness because your idol singer has organized an online concert for free, or even heartbreak due to the announcement of the retirement of Lee Chong Wei on 13th June 2019.
This shows the importance of news in our daily lives. But what if the news of the free online concert is incorrect, or the breaking news about the announcement of retirement was sourced from only one unofficial website?
Fake news does exist. It is imperative, particularly in the news of pandemic. It creates fear, especially when the number of cases is overstated due to widespread fake news.
The root cause of this issue is when people are spreading false news like wildfire on social media.
Therefore, it is everyone’s obligation to ensure that everything they share with others is genuine as this may cause unnecessary panic and reaction in others.
Cross-checking information
By definition, cross-checking is the process of verifying figures or information by using an alternative source or method.
In other words, cross-checking is when we double-check the reliability of the news. Here are some steps to ensure that we’re not misinformed by fake news.
Stay calm when provoked by a post or comment. It is incredibly difficult to stay calm when you are reading breaking news. But what’s important is next.
Do not spread information that you are not sure of. This usually affects how the online community behaves since misinformation often instigates altercations. Make sure to check the validity of certain news. Are there multiple websites reporting the same thing? Do you know the source of the news? Have you seen photos taken during the announcement?
Just because you believe in something, that belief does not necessarily ring true for all. This is known as confirmation bias. Something you believe is just your opinion, while a fact is something that has proven to be true. Everyone has the freedom to voice their opinions, but do remember that opinions should not be treated the same way as facts.
Be skeptical about everything seen on social media, especially provocative comments. You have the ability to check the credibility of certain news, so you are in control of whatever you choose to believe in.
Always search for more information if in doubt. This is the top priority. If you can identify fake news by yourself, you are undoubtedly a reliable person for others to get information from.
With these steps, hopefully, everyone is able to discuss true news with our family and friends.