Fake News Could Be Adversely Affecting Your Decision-Making

Hey Cats,

Fake news is a massive problem for our society. Every day, hundreds of so-called journalists are creating,
and publishing stories that they know are false online to gain views, advertising revenue, and,
sometimes, political advantage. It is a major scourge on our society.


The problem is that people can't always detect what is fake news - and what isn't - but they believe
that they can. Research, however, shows that the vast majority of people can't tell the difference
between a fabricated story for advertising purposes and a genuine one. 


Most of the time, fake news is harmless. The news story itself has no bearing on their lives or the
decisions that they make. Sometimes, though, fake news can have a massive impact on things as
important as how people vote.


The problem with fake news is that it disrupts the flow of authentic information throughout society.
Democracy depends on the accurate dissemination of data, but if that can't happen, then the whole
political machine grinds to a halt. Citizens don't have the information that they need to make informed
decisions. 


The following infographic charts some of the major fake news trends that have emerged in recent years.
It explains why people do it and how individuals are responding. It also highlights the unexpected role
of librarians in combating the trend, pointing out how they've become "guardians of the truth."


People are making a lot of money from advertising associated with fake news stories. Read on
below to find out everything you need to know about this worrying trend. 



Infographic by USC

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