As I was reading the debate about stopping fake news, I was reminded of the effects fake news have had in my life. Throughout the debate, the authors wrote about how important social media has become in spreading fake news. Thus, arguing that it is the job of the companies to fine ways to prevent more from spreading. Others, believe it is important the users are aware of and are trained to identify this false information. I think it is impossible to teach everyone how to identify the fake from the real, because people are gullible. It really does start with the companies to stop more from spreading, since they are responsible for allowing such information to be posted on their site.
My father and mother are more gullible than myself to believe something they read online, because everything you read online is true right? Well, I'm not saying they don't have any from of skepticism, but they are just ignorant of people's intentions online. Since, we have grown up with the internet we have an understanding of the people that use certain sites, and what they are trying to achieve. Yet, our parents had to learn and wrap their heads around the idea of scammers and manipulative people that they can't see. I am constantly worried that my parents might believe some false information and take part in something they don't want to, which is mainly why I agree with the debaters who believe the sites should take action against this. Do you believe the companies should be held responsible for everything posted on their sites especially fake news? Or are the users responsible for either believing in or not what they read online?
-Xela Dinh
I think it's neither. The posting companies are merely messengers as they didn't write what is being published. Online users can be suspicious about what they read, but the blame shouldn't be on them as they are the innocent in this situation.
ReplyDeleteThe fault I think should fall on the writers. They are the ones writing the posts and some write blatant lies. If writers had integrity and wrote truthful words we wouldn't have to worry if something was fake or not.
I wouldn't necessarily say it's the companies' responsibility for the existence of fake news, instead I'd hold them to the notion that they simply overlooked it. However it should be considered that they only provide the medium through which fake news comes from, and they have no control over what could be real or fake.
ReplyDeleteThough I do agree with your point that fake news does pose legitimate danger to older folk who sadly don't know any better.
It truly depends on the situation of the reader and the messenger. If the company is giving fake news or falsely advertising a product it is of course the companies fault for it is against the law to do such things. However, if the company did say something truthful then it would be the readers fault for perceiving something incorrectly. Either way both people will end up at fault for the reader should attempt to seek the reliability of the source and the messenger shouldn't be posting fake news.
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