Post-truth: Beyond the truth
This blog task is assigned by Dr.Dilip Barad sir , for more information click here (Post truth)
Briefly explain the concept of 'Post-truth' :
The Word "Post truth" has a long history , but it actually entered the public eye and began to attract widespread attention after it was selected as ' Oxford Dictionaries word of the year ' in 2016.
' It was defined as resorting to emotions and personal beliefs that can influence public opinion more than object facts'.
According to Oxford Dictionary: "Relating to circumstances in which people respond more to feelings and beliefs than to facts."
Why post-truth choosen as the word of the year?
According to the official statistics of Oxford Dictionaries the use of 'Post-truth' in 2016 increased by About 2000% compared with the previous year, which is closely related two political events that occurred last year - The Brexit referendum and the US presidential election , they all employ the same logic : that is after fact checking at a later stage , it has been confirmed that there are completely or mostly false content , but the public has paid less attention to it .
On the Contrary, their understanding of politica affairs is only based in their own feelings and judgement, the truth has far less influence on public opinion than the incited emotions. Then truth is to put personal beliefs, emotions and position before the truth . It is obvious that the public's emotional attention to the event exceeds the fact itself. As a result, the truth has clearly moved toward decline.
The post-truth phenomenon affects how people form opinions today in several ways:
Emotions Over Facts
People are more likely to base their opinions on emotional or sensational content rather than on accurate facts. If something feels right emotionally, it’s often accepted without checking the truth.
Confirmation Bias
People look for and believe information that matches their existing beliefs. They tend to ignore or dismiss information that contradicts what they already think.
Distrust in Facts
With so much misleading information out there, people are becoming more skeptical of factual information and expert advice.
Echo Chambers
Social media and other digital platforms often show users information that aligns with their views, creating echo chambers where people only hear what they already believe, which reinforces their opinions.
Digital Platforms and the Spread of Post-Truth Narratives
With the rapid development of new media , Great changes have taken place in the media environment, but the audience has not yet acquired the survival ability to adapt to this complex information environment. The complexity of the media environment requires the audience to continuously improve the corresponding media judgement and enhance the media culture. However, there is always a lack of educational mechanisms to equip the audience with corresponding media literacy in society. The audience itself lacks media literacy, lacks the ability to think , rationally about events, and needs to improve the ability to critically understand information. Audiance should be more careful, cautions and critical when they want to spread information on social media, being communicator should be rational and responsible, particularly particularly when confronted with unverified news.
Especially!WhatsApp’s forwarding feature makes it easy to share messages quickly. This has led to the rapid spread of false information in places like India, where misleading news has caused real-world problems, including violence.
examples of how misinformation or emotionally charged content has shaped public opinion in recent times.
Social media usage patterns are crucial to the propagation of false information. Unknowingly, users get caught up in the loop of creating, sharing, and interacting with material.
COVID-19 Misinformation:
Since the beginning of December 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, which has led to increased discussions across online platforms. These conversations have also included various conspiracies shared by social media users. Amongst them, a popular theory has linked 5G to the spread of COVID-19, leading to misinformation and the burning of 5G towers in the United Kingdom. The understanding of the drivers of fake news and quick policies oriented to isolate and rebate misinformation are keys to combating it.
US 2020 Presidential Election:
In the lead-up to and aftermath of the 2020 US presidential election, emotionally charged and misleading claims about voter fraud circulated widely, particularly on platforms like Parler, Twitter, and Facebook. These false narratives culminated in the January 6 Capitol riot, where supporters of the then-president attempted to overturn the election results, believing they had been misled by fraudulent practices.
Farmers' Protests in India (2020-2021):
During the farmers' protests against the Indian government's agricultural reforms, emotionally charged content spread across social media, with both sides accusing each other of misinformation. Videos of clashes with police, alleged violence by protesters, and statements taken out of context amplified tensions and shaped polarized opinions both nationally and internationally. For more information Click here
Reflect on how you personally encounter post-truth in your daily digital interactions.
When I come across news or information online, the first thing I do is check where it’s coming from. If the source seems unfamiliar or unreliable, I take a moment to double-check it. If there’s an image that looks suspicious, I’ll do a reverse image search to see if it’s been used somewhere else in a different context. I’ve noticed that a lot of fake news has exaggerated or emotional headlines, so I try not to take it at face value and read beyond just the headline. If a story seems too one-sided or feels like it's trying to provoke an emotional response, I pause and think before I share it.Discuss strategies you use or plan to use to remain critical of the information you receive online.
Fact-Checking: I always make sure to fact-check information by using trusted platforms like FactCheck.org. This way, I know I’m not falling for misinformation and can trust what I’m reading or sharing.
Source Verification: Before I trust any piece of information, I check where it’s coming from. If the source is credible, like a well-known news outlet, I feel more confident in its accuracy.
Critical Thinking: I try to approach everything I read with a critical mindset. Instead of reacting emotionally, I take a step back and think about whether the information makes sense or if it’s trying to manipulate my feelings.
Cross-Referencing: When I come across news, I check to see if multiple trusted sources are reporting it. If it’s only coming from one place, I dig deeper to ensure it’s reliable.
Summarize the importance of being aware of post-truth dynamics.
Being aware of post-truth dynamics is crucial because it helps us recognize how emotions, personal beliefs, and misinformation can overshadow facts. In a world where fake news spreads easily, staying aware allows us to think critically about the information we encounter and avoid being manipulated by false narratives. It encourages fact-checking, source verification, and open-mindedness, ensuring that we make informed decisions rather than blindly following emotionally charged or misleading content. Ultimately, it helps maintain a more truthful, balanced understanding of the world around us.
Emphasize the need for critical thinking and media literacy in today's digital age.
In today’s digital age, critical thinking and media literacy are more important than ever. With the overwhelming flow of information online, it's easy to encounter misleading or false content. Critical thinking allows us to question what we read, evaluate its credibility, and make informed judgments rather than simply accepting information at face value. Media literacy, on the other hand, equips us with the skills to navigate different platforms, recognize bias, and distinguish between fact and opinion. Together, these tools empower us to stay informed, avoid misinformation, and engage thoughtfully with the digital world.
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