Misinformation, Disinformation, and ‘Fake News’ in the 21st Century

The following is a high level overview on the spread of Disinformation, Misinformation, ‘Fake News’, or Outright Lies about Religion, Healthcare, Politics, UFOs, Aliens, International Affairs, Economy, Stock Market… in this 21^st century ‘Information Age’. It is more rampant than ever on today’s cable TV channels, the Internet, the blogosphere, social media, and other sources of information.

Sorting through the vast amount of information created and shared online is challenging even for many experts – specially when you’re looking for the ‘truth’. Do you know the difference between ‘fake news’, misinformation, and disinformation? Understanding the various ways that false information is shared, and the motives behind its creation, is extremely important in this ‘Information Age’. So let’s take a quick look at this issue.

 

Definitions for Misinformation, Disinformation, and ‘Fake News’ Misinformation - False information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. Disinformation - Deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda. Fake News - Purposefully crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news.

The following are a couple of recent articles on misinformation, disinformation, and ‘fake news’ that you might want to take a few minutes to read for yourself.

• Misinformation vs. Disinformation Explained

• Misinformation, Disinformation and Hoaxes: What’s the difference?

• Misinformation and Technology Trends

In addition, there are several books you might want to check out about the Misinformation Age.

• The Misinformation Age

• A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age

Here are a couple of final observations and thoughts you might also want to consider.

• Sadly, commercial media organizations today have conflated profit with purpose, and news with entertainment. They no longer report the news, they create it, and have turned fact-based news into opinion-based gossip.
• Its amazing to see how a small group of online sources are able to create a huge amount of chaos online, and destruction -- without any legal consequences.

• Finally, have you noticed the plethora of cable TV shows on ‘history’ or ‘religion’ where UFOs and alien entities are said to be responsible for building the pyramids, visiting our world and passing along sacred scriptures, and so many other highly questionable claims.

 

Potential Solutions

The following are a selection of solutions needed to help counter misinformation, disinformation, and ‘fake news’.

• First, we need to educate and clearly explain to people what misinformation is and why it’s actually very dangerous.
• Second, people should not blindly trust every piece of information they hear or receive over digital news and social media platforms.
• Third, fact-checkers must be employed and empowered by key institutions to verify questionable information and facts being shared by news media and social media influencers.
• Fourth, people should be encouraged to broaden the selection of news and social media sources they use so they do not get trapped in a ‘bubble’, ignoring other credible factual resources.
• Finally, we need both a nation-wide and world-wide effort by the public and private sectors, to build better media literacy, and to empower members of the public to recognize information or news designed specifically to mislead.

Web Sites and Community Information

The town of Summerton S.C. has continued to refine its new web site. Summerton based information technology (IT) organizations, Duke Computer Concepts (DCC) and COSITech.Net, have partnered with the town in redesigning and updating its old website - at no cost to the town. They have also been busy creating a variety of other web sites about Summerton and the surrounding area that might be of interest to visitors and residents.

Please take a few minutes to look over the new town web site and let us know what you think. Both DCC and COSITech will continue to work with the town to further enhance and maintain the web site and hope other businesses and community organizations are interested in going online - a necessity as we move deeper into the 'Information Age'.

Check out some of the following pages and key functionality on the new town web site:

• Home Page - In addition to providing visitors with a brief introduction to Summerton, the home page also contains a quick Video Tour of historic Summerton.
• About - In addition to providing a brief history of Summerton, a link is provided to the much more detailed Historic Summerton web site.
• Staff Directory - This page provides contact information to key local government offices and individuals.
• Council - This page provides the names and available email addresses of the Mayor and other members of the Town Council, including the agenda and minutes for town council meetings.
• Ordinances - Links to key town ordinances are posted on this page, including the zoning map for the town.
• Printable Forms - Includes access to forms related to licenses, permits, zoning, jury duty, and more.
• Payments - Provides instructions and online systems for submitting payments for Traffic Tickets and Summerton Water & Sewer. It also includes a link to the Public Works Department web pages.
• Police - Providing online access to information and services offered by the Summerton Police, Clarendon County Sheriff's Department, SC Highway Patrol, and the DMV.
• Events -  A list of major upcoming events in Summerton, nearby communities, and across the state.
• Links - Provides key links to web sites for local government agencies, businesses, and non-government organizations (NGO) in Summerton and the surrounding area. 

Over the coming year new functionality and content will be slowly added to the town of Summerton's new web site, e.g. plans, local laws, and more.  

Other web sites providing information about Summerton and the surrounding area developed by DCC and COSITech.Net include the online Summerton Weekly News Roundup, Historic Summerton, Summerton Nature & Outdoor Recreation, Summerton 'Open' Phone Book, Summerton 'Open' Technology, and a number of web sites for local businesses and non-profit organizations. Check them out!
 
Please send your constructive comments and suggestions on improving the site to the mayor of Summerton, Mac Bagnal, at mbagnal@scwa.org   You can also contact Rick Duke, CEO of Summerton based Duke Computer Concepts (DCC) at rick@dukecomputerconcepts.com or Peter Groen, CEO of COSITech.Net  at groenpj@cs.com.