Why fake news exists and how to defend yourself
For several years there has been more and more talk of fake news, the so-called now fake news. The main reasons why they proliferate on the web are basically two: to do money and obtain political consensus. The choice of Internet to other channels it is with respect to the fact that there is less control and also because you can get to many people.
Analyzing certain sites internet, pages Facebookchannels Telegram And Youtube that report a consistent and constant amount of “alternative” news, very similar mechanisms catch the eye: after having seduced the user with captivating titles, such as “extraordinary revelations”, “hidden truths”, “the media have hidden it from you for years” etc., the internet user will click and the owner of the page or channel has already reached his first result.
Then there is a real one brain washing: users come conquered from a multitude of apparent information incredible, exciting, engagingbut always false or unverified from reliable sources. Most of the time create false hopes in individuals who fall into the net despite themselves. They also announce date for the occurrence of unlikely facts, which are then always postponed when that day arrives. But in the meantime the user is caught, trapped in a perverse mechanism that not even he knows he lives.
It is not a simple nasty game based on cynicism and simple making fun of people. These dynamics are realized with even less edifying purposes: after having duped for a good target of web users, it hides most of the time the sale say something. Yes exploit so the most “fragile” or poorly informed people, to profit from it. Connected to sensational and imaginative contents passed off as truth, they sell themselves courses, books, subscriptions to channels and other kind of productsincluded donationswhich usually make a lot of money.
Making financial gains is the main reason for the existence of sites that broadcast false news; this aspect, however, is not the only driving force of this infernal machine. A piece of the gear is in fact also made up of political interests. Sometimes, in fact, false information is conveyed to do propaganda towards a political party, be it right or left. Certain sites are even linked to a party so pale.
What can be done to defend from fake news is Recognize the mechanisms mentioned earlier and try to avoid them. And they are always from these steps: fascination to capture attention, brainwashing, asking for money or electoral consent.