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Is objectivity possible in the era of fake news and alternative facts?

  • Philosophy -> Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge

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Is objectivity possible in the era of fake news and alternative facts?

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Emely Lunn

As a user of social media, I think that objectivity is a challenging task in the era of fake news and alternative facts. We are living in a world where spreading fake news has become as easy as sharing any other news. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are flooded with tons of information and news every day, making it difficult for the users to differentiate between what's true and what's not.

The term "fake news" is not new, but it has gained traction in recent years. Many individuals or organizations deliberately create fake news to manipulate public opinion, spread propaganda, or gain political benefits. These false stories can often spark heated debates among the people and can even lead to real-life consequences.

Alternative facts, which were popularized by Kellyanne Conway, a former adviser to Donald Trump, further complicate things. Alternative facts are often used as a euphemism for outright lies. These alternative facts are presented as truth and are used to promote a particular political agenda or propagate a specific narrative.

The rise of fake news and alternative facts has made it more challenging to be objective. In such an environment, it's difficult to know what information is true and what's not. People should be careful while sharing any news on social media and should verify their sources before sharing anything.

One of the most popular solutions to tackle fake news is through fact-checking. Fact-checking websites such as Snopes, Politifact, and FactCheck.org help people to distinguish between real and fake news. These websites use primary sources to debunk fake news and provide accurate information to the people.

Moreover, social media platforms can also play a role in promoting objectivity. They can create algorithms that prioritize accurate news feed over sensationalism and clickbait. Social media platforms can also collaborate with fact-checking websites and use the "fact check" label to identify and debunk fake news.

In conclusion, it's challenging to be objective in the era of fake news and alternative facts. It's on all of us, as social media users, to be more careful while sharing any news on social media. We should verify our sources before sharing anything and use fact-checking websites to verify the news. Social media platforms can also play their part by promoting accurate news and collaborating with fact-checking websites. It's only by working together that we can ensure that objectivity prevails over fake news and alternative facts.

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