Nowadays, fake news on the internet is becoming increasingly common. As a result, it is more difficult to tell whether what we read is reliable or not.
Getting published in the media is becoming more difficult. Meanwhile, we see all kinds of information being disseminated on the internet. This includes content that is not even validated, which undermines free and informative debate.
Fake news, as it is commonly known, aims to spread false information or create rumors. In doing so, it affects the credibility of those who communicate it.
Unfortunately, this news can affect all of us. This applies to people, companies, and any type of business. If false news about us comes out, it will consequently affect our business and brand. In fact, there are several examples of people and companies harmed by fake news.
Media outlets without information verification protocols
Iberifier (a digital media observatory in Portugal and Spain) published a study this year. The study reports that more than half of media outlets do not have information verification protocols. In addition, 80% have not received additional training in fact-checking.
“From a series of interviews conducted by the Iberian Digital Media Observatory (Iberifier) in September and October 2022 with 17 directors and editors of media companies in Portugal, it emerged that more than half (58%) of media outlets do not have an information verification protocol and around 80% have not received additional training in fact-checking.” (data taken from a news article in the Público newspaper)
We need to understand how we can stop and identify fake news
Helping to stop it is very simple: just report the content, even if it doesn’t affect you directly. Think of it as helping someone else who is in this situation. There are also numerous tools that help prevent false information.
The first piece of advice is also one of the most effective. Avoid obtaining information through messages sent by other people.
When it comes to images, the Google Images tool allows you to upload a photo. You can then search for identical images already published elsewhere, in a different context and on a different date.
For text information, one of the first things you should do is search for the subject using keywords. If the information is scarce, it is very likely that it is not true.
This news usually spreads through social media. There are also numerous websites dedicated solely to fake news in European countries. However, they use IP addresses registered in Texas, which makes them more difficult to trace.
The role of a communications agency
The press also faces a major challenge. It must verify information and be prepared to deal with the spread of fake news. This is where the role of a communications agency and press office is essential.
News spreads in a matter of seconds. So, as an agency, it is up to us to act even faster than information goes viral on social media.
Another essential factor in managing a possible case of fake news is the consultant’s preparation. The goal is a quick response, capable of limiting the spread of untruths that could affect the client’s reputation.
At EDC, you can count on a professional and specialized team. It is ready to help you in any situation, keeping the media informed about your brand/company’s activities. It also disseminates crucial information in an effective manner.
The fight against this misinformation has been a joint effort by everyone.
In Portugal, the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS) has been working in partnership with other entities. Together, they have been developing strategies to try to minimize the phenomenon of misinformation in Portugal.
