Ever since the advent of the internet, there has been tidal waves of information available to anyone at any time. This technological advancement has in fact created a new faucet of life. Presently, we can execute a myriad of “chores” that would once necessitate us to get up and go to an office, whether it is to pay bills or to simply purchase goods. The internet has brought along convenience as well. A commodity that we all seek. However, these tidal waves of information come with such intensity that it has the capacity to hypnotize, incite and control masses. For example, this current situation the world is seeing with the Covid-19 spreading worldwide has made conspiracy theorists and advocates alike to come out and pontificate their truths as universal facts. These are media reports of fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories that have real ramifications in real time, giving a veracious definition to the term “viral”.
-www.usatoday.com
“Iranian media reports that at least 44 people have died from alcohol poisoning and hundreds have been hospitalized after consuming bootleg alcohol in an effort to treat the corona virus.”
Mobile operators in the United Kingdom reported on April 5, 2020 that there have been at least five instances of vandals setting fire to towers in the United Kingdom in the past few days. These attacks are a result of viral YouTube videos claiming a connection between the virus and the new super-fast wireless technology have racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
Idris Elba revealed on Twitter his diagnosis of Covid-19 and shared his deep concern about the “myth” and “jokes” being spread about black people not being able to contract corona virus. On the onset of the virus there were many trending memes and post about the virus being an affliction for only white people.
These are only a few examples of how the access to information can prove to be detrimental to society. Perhaps reading these headlines, you may shrug and think that only uneducated people are at risk. However, I was approached by a work colleague, a Stanford graduate who was eager to tell me about a study revealing a self-test for Covid-19 by simply holding one’s breath. Instantly, I thought that didn’t seem too logical, but perhaps its true after all she went to Stanford. Proving that any caliber of society may fall prey to false information, especially the most vulnerable in our society. The elderly, children and impoverished are at greater risk when these information are being fed to them.
As academics we must be sure to empower ourselves and also help to educate those who are not as privileged. People must know how to differentiate between real information and fake news and we all have a part to play. Should they be more measures implemented to protect our communities from misinformation?
References
Bote, J. (2020, March 11). At least 44 dead from drinking toxic alcohol in Iran after coronavirus cure rumor. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/03/10/44-dead-iran-drinking-toxic-alcohol-fake-coronavirus-cure/5009761002/
Gold, H. (2020, April 6). YouTube tries to limit spread of false 5G coronavirus claims after cellphone towers attacked. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/06/tech/5g-coronavirus-conspiracy/index.html
Milanowski, A. (2020, March 30). 5 Common COVID-19 Myths, Busted. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-common-covid-19-myths-busted/
Vary, A. B. (2020, March 18). Idris Elba Decries ‘Conspiracy Theories’ That Black People Can’t Get COVID-19: ‘It’s Going to Get More People Sick’. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2020/film/news/idris-elba-conspiracy-theories-black-people-coronavirus-1203537477/
6 Responses to An Era of ‘Fake News’