Our information ecosystem is drowning in misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. These terms, though distinct, all paint a picture of inaccurate and harmful content circulating online, particularly through social media platforms.
In general, there are two categories of information: good information and bad information. Bad information includes subcategories such as misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Good information is accurate and credible.
Definitions are important because unless we define the problem, we cannot solve it. We need these to identify and debunk the false claims. Misinformation is simply a mistake. We all fall victim to misinformation. We all unintentionally share anything on social media platforms, whether it be memes, videos, images, or status updates that we believe is worthwhile. We all make mistakes and it's ok to make mistakes. But we must not repeat it.
Disinformation, on the other hand, is a deliberate spread of false or incorrect information.
Then, there is malinformation, which is more dangerous than disinformation. Malinformation is spread of genuine information to cause harm, damage or deception. For example, revenge porn. In malinformation, the information is correct but is shared with malicious intent.
Legacy media, characterized by its rigorous standards, finds itself in fierce competition with the unregulated and often chaotic environment of social media platforms. Consumers have more choices, but credible information comes at a premium. The legacy media struggles to maintain audience attention in an era where social media captures a significant share of eyeballs. As a consequence, the unchecked proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has found a fertile ground on social platforms.
Breaking news and Elections
In the gap between breaking news and the arrival of verified information, a dangerous space opens for disinformation actors to thrive. They exploit this window, peddling falsehoods and manipulating narratives while social media users struggle to discern fact from fiction. At moments such as these, we should have faith on journalists, who diligently work to verify the information and provide the most accurate account.
The purveyors of false news, on the other hand, are unwilling to wait for the time-consuming process of verification. Here, the only way is to exercise restraint and be patient.
The recent Nepali general elections of November 2022 offer a stark case study. Doctored screenshots masquerading as legitimate news and fact-checks flooded social media, aiming to sow confusion and undermine electoral integrity. The motive behind this seem to be to undermine electoral integrity as the campaign aimed to confuse voters.
Electoral misinformation often comes from the top. In 2022, politicians peddled lies and half-truths as they attempted to woo voters and discredit their opponents. With over 60 countries holding general elections this year, election misinformation has been a major concern. Voters need to exercise caution when it comes to claims during elections.
Fair and accurate reporting, coupled with the efforts of fact-checkers, media literacy platforms, and social media companies, can help voters navigate electoral misinformation.
YouTube and monetisation
The ease of content creation on platforms like YouTube has democratized the media landscape, but unfortunately, it's also given rise to a dangerous trend: the pursuit of virality for profit. Armed with smartphones and basic editing skills, creators can churn out hours-long videos, often on politically polarizing topics or on politicians like Ravi Lamichhane or Balen Shah. Why? Clickbait headlines and sensational content draw eyeballs, and eyeballs equal dollars through ad revenue.
This "virality trap" isn't confined to YouTube. Platforms like Facebook, citing freedom of expression, often turn a blind eye to misinformation and inflammatory content. Their business model rests on user engagement, even if it's fueled by outrage and division. They're the "attention merchants," constantly feeding us novelty – endless streams of videos, memes, and sensational posts – keeping us hooked and generating billions in ad revenue.
This trend is driven can be analysed using two As: amplification and attention. The platforms amplify content that sparks engagement, which often translates to virality and lucrative ad payouts. Users fall prey to this, sharing clickbait and sensational content, further fueling the algorithm's preference for inflammatory material.
Platforms and polarization
While social media platforms hold immense potential for education and diverse perspectives, they've become breeding grounds for echo chambers and polarization. Algorithms fueled by engagement churn out sensational content, often at the expense of accuracy. This creates filter bubbles where users encounter only information that confirms their existing beliefs, further hardening societal divides.
Breaking free from this cycle requires multi-pronged action. Platforms must evolve beyond their click-driven models and content moderation to curb the spread of misinformation. Creators must embrace ethical responsibility, ensuring their content is accurate and avoids inflammatory tactics. Individuals can fight information disorder by cultivating critical skepticism, questioning sources, and employing emotional awareness against manipulative content. We must adopt digital literacy across all levels – platforms, creators, and consumers – is key to reclaiming a space for informed discourse.
Platforms must prioritize accuracy and fact-checking over virality, while users must cultivate critical skepticism and discern credible information from clickbait. Only then can we break free from the echo chambers of misinformation and reclaim a space for informed discourse in the digital era.
Adhikari is editor of NepalCheck.Org, a fact-checking platform in Nepal