The Rise and Rise of Fake News

News spreads quickly via the internet, and research suggests that increasing numbers of US adults rely on social media for their news. “There are hundreds of fake news websites out there, from those which deliberately imitate real life newspapers, to government propaganda sites, and even those which tread the line between satire and plain misinformation,” reports BBC News. The purpose of some sites is fun and entertainment, but the intentions of others are more insidious. Some readers read stories with outright lies to laugh, knowing they are fake, while other readers are less wary. An increasing number of clicks from either set of readers generates advertising revenue, and the most outlandish stories attract the most attention and clicks. Other disgruntled individuals target news outlets to try and get false stories published. To avoid ruined careers and reputations, journalists must undergo training on fact-checking. Editors and readers alike must apply critical reading skills, getting into the practice of reviewing and understanding news stories, assessing accuracy by relying on reports from multiple sources. – YaleGlobal