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Showing posts from August, 2024

Spot the Fake: Your Guide to Real News

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Spot the Fake: Your Guide to Real News “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” This quote by Mark Twain has proved to be truer than ever before. In today's digital world, false information spreads rapidly, causing real-world harm. From misleading headlines to outright deception, fake news poses a significant challenge. The consequences can be severe, including eroding trust and dividing communities. A study at MIT reveals that fake news spreads more faster, deeper and broadly than the truth. The truth rarely spreads beyond a 1000 people whereas the most contentious fake news in their sample regularly spread between 1000 and a 100 thousand people. Another revelation was that humans were more likely to spread fake news than the truth compared to bots. For instance, misinformation about COVID-19 caused serious harm. Over 6,000 people were hospitalized and at least 800 died in the first three months of 2020 alone due to false informa

Media and Misinformation POEM: Shadows of Doubt

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Shadows of Doubt Shadows creep where truth once stood A labyrinth of lies where truth is concealed Thronging with info The net’s just like a cotton-filled pillow I just don’t know what’s right what’s wrong Will this trap continue lifelong?   I feel so helpless So uninformed or rather I’d say misinformed That I’m being stormed It leaves me feeling like I don’t know who to believe   My worry deepens day by day Why do we have to pay For the evil and political intents Of the media presidents Who unfurl a curtain on the turn of events To merely disorient and create dents In the society resulting in immense torments   Be it the media traditional or social Biases are on the way Ranging from political to algorithmic Why are we being targeted and trapped In the relentless war of profits rhythmic     If we’re misinformed How can we understand the world around us? This is not fair But if we can’t change the world Let’s start the change