Cyndi's Two Cents
Fake news irony
Commentary.
I find it ironic that some mainstream media outlets that try to make news instead of covering news are warning against fake news sites. Although I laugh about the irony, I am deeply saddened by it.
The advent of the Internet (which we jokingly refer to as “the interwebs” at Brownfield Ag News) created an evolution or a revolution in how we communicate with everyone else. I’m not quite sure which word best describes what has happened.
Instead of calling someone on the phone to schedule a meeting, share information or ask a question, we can send a text or instant message to that person on Facebook and take care of our business without picking up a phone or getting out of the office chair where we’ve been planted all day. Using Skype and Twitter, text messaging, Snapchat, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Facebook and a bunch of other social media tools available today, I can reach out and interact with almost anyone at anytime, anywhere. Groups of people from different time zones can meet and interact online in a virtual setting without ever meeting in person.
As an agricultural communicator, these new tools have played an important role in how we deliver the content we create to the persons who want and need to receive it. People go a lot of places to get their news and information today. In addition to the tried-and-true formats (radio, print publications, television) consumers are seeking out e-newsletters and You-Tube videos, Twitter and Instagram and Friend Feed to pick up nuggets of information.
Armed with this new technology and cool gadgetry, suddenly anyone can claim to be a reporter. All you need is smartphone and “woo-hoo!” you are a journalist. Because mainstream media has acted shamefully so many times, choosing to sacrifice unbiased journalism for what seems to me to be a blurring of lines between truth and deception to build an audience; the public seems to have more readily accepted these personal interpretations of what might or might not be “news” events.
It must be true! My Uncle Gary re-tweeted something he found on one of his co-worker’s Facebook pages. I love Uncle Gary. He would never tell a lie; at least not intentionally.
Memes and other graphics are easily altered in a digital format. Video recorded using a smart phone is as easy to manipulate as video recorded by any other camera.
The stage was set. Fake news sites were bound to appear!
I am by no means opposed to the tools of communication available. I am online daily. I tweet. I text. I shoot video and post it to YouTube. I have a Facebook page. I am a member of several social media communities. I utilize these modern technology tools in my work as well as in my personal and social life. But I do not rely on Facebook posts from unsanctioned “news” sources to learn the truth. I hope you aren’t, either.
Tags: commentary
It’s a short distance between “removing fake news” and “censorship”. We all need to learn to check our sources and be diligent in our efforts to uncover the TRUTH – no matter where it may be found. If we allow the MSM to direct this ridiculous meme (ridiculous as THEY are experts at fake news), we will once again find ourselves losing our rights to those whose goal is just that!