BLOG: What is fake news and how do we combat it?

Fake news.

It is a term thrown around a lot nowadays. Like Merriam-Webster argues, "Fake news is having a bit of a moment.”

But, despite all the buzz, there is not really one standard defining what fake news is. It is such a contentious debate that some dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, are avoiding and refusing to define it all together.

Without such a definition, how can one spot fake news? How do we combat it? These are questions that newsrooms have been intensely searching to answer in recent years.

What are some of the existing and working definitions of fake news?

Cambridge Dictionary defines it as:

“False stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke.”

But, this definition is rather problematic because fake news is neither exclusive to the political realm nor is it often, if ever, promoted as a joke. Satire, pushed out on websites such as The Onion, is far different from fake news.

Merriam Webster agrees.

“Fake news is frequently used to describe a political story which is seen as damaging to an agency, entity, or person. However, as seen in the last of the three citations given above, it is by no means restricted to politics, and seems to have currency in terms of general news.”

Because of these reasons and more, Merriam-Webster says that it is "unlikely to be entered in our dictionary anytime soon."

Lastly, Dictionary.com defines it as:

“False news stories, often of a sensational nature, created to be widely shared or distributed for the purpose of generating revenue, or promoting or discrediting a public figure, political movement, company, etc.; a parody that presents current events or other news topics for humorous effect in an obviously satirical imitation of journalism.”

Moreover, there are a lot of definitions out there which does not really help the case of solving the issue.

How to address it?

Some news organizations such as the Associated Press have have started releasing weekly updates in their "Fact Checking" section titled “NOT REAL NEWS: A Look At What Didn’t Happen This Week."

For many reasons, this is an effective way of calling out and labeling viral fake news in a way that reaches people on the platforms they likely originally read about the fake news.

The standard and precedent set by AP is one that I think more newsrooms should follow.

What about the role of social media?

A major problem with fake news is the way in which it is being disseminated on social media. Many have pushed for platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to actively thwart out and take down fake news. But, these attempts have been shut down by those worried that it will impede on free speech.

While I think this worry about setting such a precedent is valid, it still lets these social media sites off the hook in being accomplices in disseminating fake news. The only way forward is to have an honest discussion about how programmers at these platforms can effectively and actively combat fake news.

Cover image from Kayla Velasquez/Unsplash