Fake news and propaganda
Did fake news fuel Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency?
At least one writer of fake news, Paul Horner, thinks so.
He told the Washington Post, “I think Trump is in the White House because of
me. His followers don’t fact-check anything — they’ll post everything, believe
anything. His campaign manager posted my story about a protester getting paid
$3,500 as fact. Like, I made that up. I posted a fake ad on Craigslist.”
(http://tinyurl.com/zoed6lr).
On CNN’s Reliable Sources yesterday, media critic Brian
Stelter ruminated about fake news, noting “the evidence indicates this is more
of a problem on the right, among some, not all, but some Trump supporters.”
Stelter’s essay on the subject is worthwhile viewing.
(http://tinyurl.com/j6h48t8)
As I’ve thought about fake news, I’ve referred back to
the chapter on propaganda in my new textbook Peace Journalism Principles andPractices. The link between fake news and propaganda is clear given the
definition of propaganda: information designed and used to influence opinion.
During this election, consumers were inundated with false information designed
to change or reinforce opinions about the candidate, and ultimately, to sway
votes.
The emergence of fake news presents yet another challenge
to journalists, as well as one more justification for peace journalism. A look
at PJ’s principles shows that it is built to battle fake news. These principles
include verifying claims/propaganda from all sources; seeking and verifying
facts from multiple sources, and not just official ones; and offering
counter-narratives that debunk propaganda and fake news that create
stereotypes, myths, and misperceptions.
The prevalence of fake news means that responsible
journalism may be more important than ever.
Reconciliation journalism
Two recent stories show the power of media to tell
reconciliation-themed stories. The first is a story on a Kansas City TV station
that discusses how a Syrian student at Park University, where I teach, is
dispelling negative myths about Syrians and Muslims.
The second is a fine BBC story about how Tunisian victims
of abuse are speaking out on live TV as part of their country’s
“truth and dignity” reconciliation process.
Next: Sierra Leone and India
In the next month, I’ll be in Freetown, Sierra Leona
(Intl Peace Research Assn and PJ seminar) and Chennai, India (PJ seminar at
Anna University). I’ll keep you posted.
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