Help us fix fake news

Help us fix fake news

News outlets now compete with social media to get their stories out to their readers first to ensure they get the exclusive scoop. With this fast-paced digital world, it is not surprising that sources and information are not always thoroughly checked, which in turn causes the rise of fake news. What can we do to help fix fake news in the digital world where stories can spread like wildfire before anyone stands up and checks the sources?

Fake News

What is fake news?

Cambridge Dictionary defines fake news as: “False stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke”


Lazer et al. define fake news as:

“… information that mimics the output of the news media in form, but not in organizational process or intent—e.g., lacking editorial norms and processes to weed out the untrue in favor of the true. Fake news is thus a subgenre of the broader category of misinformation—of incorrect information about the state of the world.” (The Science of Fake News, Science, 9, 1094-1096)


Has media become a hypercompetitive world where journalists simply do not have the time to fact check all of their sources before someone else has beaten them to the scoop? With deadlines looming, is it a juggle between getting the articles out quickly and taking the time to check sources before missing out on that exclusive? Do people sometimes fall short of their own standards because of the pressures of time in this fast paced digital world?

Issues with fake news

Fake news is a big problem that is not going away especially as more people, notably the younger generation turn towards social media as a news source. A 2018 Gallup survey indicated that Americans are becoming more distrustful of the news:

Americans estimate that 44% of the news they see on TV, read in newspapers, or hear on the radio is inaccurate. They believe 64% of the news they see on social media is inaccurate
2018 Gallup News Survey

However one dangerous way to combat this issue of fake news which Americans are turning to is to drop specific news outlets that they deem as ‘Fake’. 6 out 10 Deomcrats and an alarming 70% of Republicans have dropped a news outlet which they perceived as fake. Not only this but they have also reduced their overall consumption of the news. Is fake news a reason to turn away from the coverage of world and political events? Deciphering what is real versus what is fake is a whole skill set in itself, and one that requires time, research and knowledge of the subject matter.

Roughly six-in-ten (63%) have stopped getting news from a particular outlet, about half (52%) have changed the way they use social media and roughly four-in-ten (43%) have lessened their overall news intake.
https://www.journalism.org/2019/06/05/many-americans-say-made-up-news-is-a-critical-problem-that-needs-to-be-fixed/
How to fix fake news 💪🗞

How to fix fake news 💪🗞

Learn Some Statistics

Try to gain a basic knowledge of statistics and how stats can be manipulated to prove a point. Being aware that this happens, will allow you to question the stats you are shown and understand the data that is being reported on, and most importantly highlight where data is being misrepresented.


Read Both Sides

Remember there are two sides to every story and reading one view will not allow you to form a balanced opinion. Read a few articles from different sources to try and get to the facts and gain a balanced perspective. This may mean reading opinions you may not believe, or that don’t align with your own beliefs, but here at OneSub we believe it is important to read all sides of the story from different sources.


It’s important we don’t just rely on journalists and politicans to fix the fake news problem but also look at how we can become better at consuming the news.


Help us fix fake news

Here at OneSub we’re on a mission to break the echo chamber and allow you easy access to alternative opinions on the same story. Join us on the journey and try and fix the problem...


Sign up - Now!

Take a look at our Apps on iOS & Android, and always feel free to get in touch with ideas, feedback or any issues!


Follow us on twitter: @onesub_  & @onesub_usa

and please share content spread the word!