Why We Should Hold Ourselves Responsible for Fake News

Benjamin van Loon

March 8, 2017

https://www.digitalethics.org/essays/why-we-should-hold-ourselves-responsible-fake-news

 "Speak No Lies"  

First Impression:

We should be holding ourselves responsible for fake news: after all, we created it somewhat---gossip and lies done by word of mouth everyday is now being done online in the most disastrous and consequential way possible.

Quote: 

" Fake news wouldn’t be so prevalent if there was not already a willing, receptive audience raised entirely on media that caters to pre-established biases and opinions."

Reflection Proper: 

Years ago, there were such things as gossip, slander and lies. Those sort of things were usually seen whether in beauty salons, malls, coffee shops, school hallways and office buildings; mostly it involves a crowd or a multitude of people. Now, thanks to the online words, those specific things have upgraded to a new form what is ironically a term sinking to a new low: fake news. It's a term of which makes one concerned about who and what to believe, not to mention who to trust due to its information. It's really unethical and crazy: I mean really, who in their right mind would create "fake news" in the first place? Is it a way just to make yourself popular or something? Or a way to hide something truthful and lead us astray against it? Or a way to create something of personal gain or a part of one's personal agenda? If so, then the one who invented it must be bearing a whole of sins made from this invention for many years. I agree with the essay article on this one: we should regain ethical control over news and we should act like proper people when it comes to news: we shall speak only the truth, and nothing else to the world. Also, websites and services such as Facebook and Twitter should be taking ethical responsibilities as well for they are basically the tools used for people to create fake news to be shown worldwide, and this includes newsmen, journalists, reporters and handlers and spreaders of information everywhere in the world alike: they should take notice and heed on what information they are carrying under their wing, since propaganda is always big in our world nowadays, and information is always essential to us, and it should be only holding truth, for lies only lead to more lies and mostly likely, unavoidable and terrible consequences and futures. So in conclusion, all people should ground ourselves in truth and sift throughout the distractions and lies, and despite knowing who or what invented fake news in the first place, everyone, including social media platforms and other forms of media, should find the truth and sort it from lies to stop unintended and horrible consequences and futures from happening to the world.

5 Things Learned From Article: 

1. I learned that we should be really responsible for fake news.

2. I learned about fake news is merely just propaganda or "information of a biased nature used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view".

3. I learned that Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms are not to blame for fake news.

4. I learned that several organizations or people rather have been conducting investigations for years regarding issues involving fake news, exposing certain individuals, and what not.

5. I learned that we should " ground ourselves in truth and sift through distracting noise"; in other words, sort out the truth from lies everyday.

5 Integrative Questions:

1. What's your opinion on the invention of fake news?

2. Do you ever think that we should be responsible for fake news?

3. How do you feel about people blaming social media for fake news?

4. What precautions do you take in making sure what you read is truthful?

5. How do you tend to sort out the truth from lies; stopping fake news in your own way?