Yet, social media is just the environment, the means transferring information. Behind algorithms and fake news are people misusing digital instruments and plotting an information war. They’re probably the same people that once dreamt of conquering the world. History repeating, but this time controlling a country is possible without even having to cross its borders with armed forces.
Where am I trying to get here? We lost the control we probably never had. As long as there’s freedom of speech, there will be a an ocean of information. How we make sure we’re not exposing ourselves to altered media? Once again, the word that comes to my mind is ‘E-du-ca-tion’ (somehow Bono’s ‘Elevation’ is ‘ear worming’ me now, if that’s even an accepted verb).
Teaching people to refer to reliable sources and to double-check the facts, in particular the so-called ‘Exclusive’ click baits, could be a valid starting point. Reporting accounts spreading fake news is always an option, a temporary one at least. As social media is typically cheaper than the mainstream media, it’s most likely the first channel to propagate fake news.
Education can lead you so far, but it wouldn’t eventually win a long battle. Not to mention, double-checking our sources of information wandering the tangled world of social platforms is time-consuming. In my utopia, we already have in place a certified system of labelling altered media, so people can understand the risks they’re exposing to when accepting to read content.