2018’s Word of the Year
Hardly a surprise to find 2018’s Word of the Year is no other than misinformation, defined as:
“False information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.”
With one word, misinformation generates the perfect image of the turbulent times which we are living. Although fake news has been around since the dawn of time, the invention of social media has made it more accessible to a global audience, with speed faster than the blink of an eye.
The majority of us tend to believe everything we see and hear—too lazy to go searching for the truth. Once we absorb a piece of information, it finds its way into the deep crevices of our brain and implants itself there. Just the mere idea of a claim, true or not, paints an image in seconds. Doing so perpetuates the notion that we are indeed, guilty until proven innocent.
That’s why it is our responsibility, as daily consumers of vast amounts of information, to ensure that the information we are consuming is accurate.
With the increasing rise of fake news, people must adapt and teach themselves how to fact check their information. Keep yourself informed and connected to the political and global atmosphere. Fake news is a monstrous beast who found a home nestled in the nucleus of our political ads, celebrity gossip, and online echo-chambers.
Dictionary.com says, “In early November, fact-checkers from the Washington Post shared their record of all the false or misleading claims President Trump has made since becoming president…As of the time of that report, the count was at 6,420, an average of about 10 false or misleading claims a day. These claims are heard around the world and believed by many.”
It’s bewildering to watch the world normalize false information and what’s more – allowing national leaders to spread lies as easily as publishing a tweet.
The Russians ran fake political ads on Facebook, which directly resulted in the manipulation of millions of Americans and constructed the biggest election disaster of the 21st century.
People are dying and countries are being exploited from these false yet powerful words. Words that carry no weight but has the ability to spread like wildfire is a terrifying thing.
But alas, there are ways to protect yourself against false information and ensure validity in the news you consume.
Educate yourself and rise above the ignorance with these fact-checking sites. Yes, it may take a little more work than you’re used to – but the consequences of false information are far greater. This is the world we live in now.
We should also take the time to thank credible news journals that provide outlets for reporters to dedicate their lives to finding the truth. If you’re still in need of some gentle nudging, please take the time to check out The Truth Is Worth It campaign by The New York Times to help understand the value of real news and just how difficult it can be to uncover.
The Truth Is Hard | The New York Times
The Truth Is Worth It: Perseverance | The New York Times