One might think that with the 2024 Presidential election cycle behind us, we could all take a breath or two and be less concerned about the staggering amount of misinformation we are exposed to every second of every day.
Sure, you might think that. You would be so terribly wrong as to wonder if attention is really being paid to the world around us. The level of misinformation, disinformation, fraud, propaganda and laughable lies has only increased since the POTUS vote was taken, and sadly, the majority of people are still allowing themselves to be used as idiots.
We are drowning in misinformation, disinformation, media-fueled propaganda and complete bovine excrement. They proliferate at the level of cockroaches doing a fertility dance, and more often than not, we are their more than willing dance partners.
We can, if we so choose, put a stop to this rotting cancer. But we have to want to do it, and we have to take purposeful steps. If we don’t, then we are resigned to wallow in it for the rest of our lives.
In today’s digital age, dodging disinformation is as crucial as looking both ways before crossing the street. The amount of false information circulating on broadcast and social media is staggering, and yet people keep falling for it, damaging their personal and professional reputations in the process. It's brutal, but here's the reality: a little skepticism and a few internet searches can save a lot of embarrassment. Let’s talk about how to dodge the nonsense, call out the misinformation peddlers, and avoid being a dupe.
Believing Broadcast Media: The Echo Chamber Effect
Broadcast media, once a bastion of trusted news, has increasingly devolved into an echo chamber where networks play to the biases of their viewers. I know. I have dedicated my life to the art of broadcast and written journalism, and am enraged more than engaged when I witness the lazy fawning and preening to a lack of facts and honest news.
Take, for example, the 2020 election cycle, when misinformation about voting fraud became a major narrative for certain outlets. Some high-profile news personalities and pundits repeated baseless claims so often that viewers took it as gospel. But the damage wasn’t just done to public trust; lawsuits followed, involving millions of dollars in penalties for broadcasting false information. FOX, Newsmax and OANN led the way in shoveling lies, then being forced to admit their crime against journalistic integrity. If that doesn’t scream “fact-check before you repeat,” nothing will.
All three of those media platforms knowingly lied about the 202 election. Multiple times. They did so for propaganda linked to profit margins, and they used their followers as mindless idiots. Why would you ever trust them or those like them again?
Think about it: these shows are designed to entertain, sensationalize, and keep viewers hooked. Many programs are even labeled “infotainment” for a reason. So, if you’re consuming broadcast news, ask yourself, “Am I watching to be informed or entertained?” If it’s the latter, maybe take a saliva test and take a few minutes to see if the story holds water.
Social Media: The Misinformation Playground
Social media is a breeding ground for the most outrageous, misleading, and downright false information you’ll ever encounter. Misinformation spreads at warp speed, and algorithms actually favor it because it’s engaging.
Case in point: the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a wave of “miracle cures” and conspiracy theories about the origins of the virus. Some public figures, including the then-President of the United States, jumped on the misinformation bandwagon, sharing unverified “research” with millions of followers.
The result? People worldwide believed in treatments that were not only ineffective but sometimes dangerous. Being duped into believing these “cures” likely killed more people than it saved. The Ivermectin lie still stands as a testament to junk science and people being conned into believing something with zero basis in real study.
Social media encourages the rapid sharing of this disinformation because every like, share, and retweet boosts the poster's influence, even if they’re dead wrong. For instance, celebrities and “influencers” pushed anti-vaccine content that was often based on cherry-picked or out-of-context data. Some followers ended up rejecting the vaccine, only to face serious and fatal health consequences later.
The lesson here? Just because someone has a blue checkmark or a million followers does not mean they know what they’re talking about. Elon Musk has certainly proven time and time again that what he knows about scientific fact, and passing on said fact, would fit in a thimble and there would be plenty of room left for the Grand Canyon. His lies about the 2024 election are simply too numerous to count.
Pushing Falsehoods for Personal Gain
The irony of disinformation is that while it misleads the masses, it often benefits the few. Certain “news” sites, influencers, and even politicians thrive on the attention they gain from spreading half-truths and outright lies. Why? Because it’s profitable. Clicks and shares mean advertising revenue, more followers, and increased social influence. They know what they’re doing, and they’re hoping you won’t check the facts.
They are using you as suckers and dupes for their pleasure and profit.
Take the QAnon conspiracy theorists, who built massive online followings by spreading bizarre theories. Followers became so invested that they alienated family members, lost friends, and even risked jobs to defend their belief in the cause. All the while, the conspiracy leaders were cashing in on their newfound fame, selling merchandise, taking donations, and in some cases, organizing costly events. It’s a painful reminder that some people genuinely profit from public gullibility.
Spotting the Lies with a Few Simple Steps
It’s shockingly easy to separate fact from fiction if you’re willing to spend a minute verifying information.
Use search engines for more than shopping lists: This is the simplest starting point. Go to your favorite search engine. Type in relevant words to what you’re seeking, such as “Ivermectin COVID-19 cures facts”. The key word to use is “facts”, or “truth”, Check under the main search heading and also the “News” heading. You will be flooded with verifiable facts every time.
Search for credible sources: If a story sounds suspiciously shocking, see if reputable news organizations are reporting it. Use major outlets like Reuters, BBC, or the Associated Press, which are known for their rigorous fact-checking. Many of those will come up in your initial search.
Cross-check dates and data: Often, misinformation will twist data from an old event to make it appear relevant. Make sure what you’re seeing actually corresponds to the event being discussed. Search engines will provide the dates of publish for their results.
Use fact-checking sites: Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, Media Bias Fact Check and PolitiFact are excellent for quickly debunking viral stories. If a fact-checking site has labeled something as false, it’s worth questioning before sharing. I can already hear groans from some claiming these sites are “filled with partisan lies” or some such nonsense. No, they’re not. Their information and methods have been verified time and time again, certainly much more reputable than FOX, Newsmax, or the incessant panel-babble on MSNBC.
Examine the source: Look at the profile of the person or page sharing the information. Are
they an expert in the field? Do they have a history of posting extreme or unverifiable information? If it’s a random account with no credentials, think twice. Also check the website and/or page the information is on. It’s easy to create a URL and site that seems legit, but is often another misinformation standard. For example abcnews.com.co uses the ABC news logo, but readers will notice stories that are less than credible, no publisher information, and links that do not work. The “.co” at the end is the first major tipoff what you’re reading is concocted misinformation.
Despite easy tools for fact-checking, disinformation persists because people enjoy hearing things that confirm their biases. Confirmation bias makes it tempting to accept information that reinforces what we already believe, no matter how outlandish it might be. This bias drives engagement and keeps disinformation circulating in a vicious cycle.
Worse still, there’s a certain laziness that comes into play. Why check when it’s so easy to share? But by not checking, people risk damaging their credibility. Once you’ve shared a piece of misinformation, you’ve labeled yourself as unreliable in the eyes of more discerning followers.
Yes, THIS TAKES TIME. It doesn't happen in seconds. YOU have to care about not being fed the lies, and YOU have to take the time to find the facts. YOU are where the buck stops every time.
Conclusion: Don’t Be a Disinformation Sucker
Let’s face it, falling for disinformation is both embarrassing and avoidable. Yet people still do it, damaging their reputations and spreading confusion. The next time a sensational story hits your feed, take a moment to do your due diligence. Remember, those who profit from disinformation count on you not taking a closer look. They want you to believe, share, and spread it like wildfire.
Unless you’re just one of the frauds and con artists out there who enjoys spreading lies and harmful fraud.
In today’s world, the real power is in skepticism and critical thinking. Question everything, fact-check obsessively, and resist the urge to share anything that hasn’t passed the smell test.
Because at the end of the day, staying well-informed and helping others stay informed is a far better legacy than being just another pawn in the disinformation game.
Ed Berliner is a veteran journalist, anchor, reporter and talk show host who travels the world both in-person and digitally fighting the scourge of what is at the core of "fake news". Contact him today to discuss having him appear as a speaker. educator, or commentator for your organization, and perhaps saving the truth one clip at a time.
Comments