Spreading awareness, Debunking Fake News

A reaction paper about Fake News

CBS News segment about How “Fake News” and Misinformation online is changing

society which was published last 28th of May, 2019 that hits about more than 10, 000

views (upon writing) is both an educational and awareness campaign on how we could

combat the massive spread of fake news. Sara Fischer, reporter of Axios Media joined

CBS News in discussing this phenomenon which is for them, as misinformation and so-

called “fake news” continuous to rapidly spread, the society has become increasingly

shaped by false information.

Fischer also stated that “We live in a fake world where people don’t know

something real and something that deceives them.” The internet was supposed to feed

us factual information. This was also supported the opinion of Anne-Marie Green, News

Anchor of CBS News that according to her, too much access to the internet can also lead

us to confusion. Wherein before for example, she wants to know about the Planet Pluto,

there she only has an encyclopedia to tell her that Pluto is a planet. But nowadays, when

she checks on the internet, various sources would bombard her that Pluto is not a planet

but an asteroid, rock or even a star which leads her to confuse on which sources are true

and factual.

In addition, one of the reasons why “fake news” is booming it’s because of Social

Media Business. Wherein they immediately post certain propaganda without validating it.
My Response, My Reactions

One of my reactions to the video is the synchronization of the ideas being

presented to us, the viewers. They established the facts in an orderly manner by giving

the background of what is “fake news” all about, its causes, its popular examples that

really boomed the American media since last year, and how we able to put it into end.

From the beginning days of the printing press to the always evolving internet of the

present day, the media has greatly evolved and changed over the years. No one can

possibly overstate the influential power of the new media of television on the rest of the

industry. Television continues to influence the media, which recently an era of “fake

news” has captivated which calls for certain actions.

I also agree with the statement of Fischer that we live in a fake world. “Fake News”

only signifies a dangerous internet trend. The problem is, we will continue to live in this

so-called “fake world” if people won’t start recognizing real news sites from fraudulent

ones. Worst is that most of the time they can be hoodwinked by fictitious news stories

pretending to be real.

The Epidemic in the Evolution

However, I fail to agree with regards to the statement of Ann-Marie Green, news

anchor of CBS News, that according to her, too many sources could lead to confusion.

For me, there is beauty in diversity. The vastness of the internet is just a product of man’s

application of knowledge. The evolution of the internet is just an open-gate to the limitless

ideas of man. In my opinion, various sources would not lead to confusion if and only if
we are knowledgeable enough to weigh things from factual and fictions and critical

enough to not immediately believe and respond to whatever information being feed upon

us. We need to validate and analyze the news and information first. In my case as a

student, the internet was indeed a big help in my academe and whenever there is

research projects, I wouldn’t stick to just a single source but I prefer to come and cite

into various sources so that I could come up credible conclusions.

Quality over Popularity

On the other hand, a big thumbs up from the video statement that one reason

why “fake news” is booming it’s because of Social Media Business. I couldn’t help but to

agree with this realizing that media-in all forms should be the one who would break this

issue. Being the most influential online platform, Social Media should be the bridge in

educating people on how we can eradicate “fake news.” But then, at the end of the day,

‘business is business’ they tend to create catchy headlines to gather more viewers and

readers. With that, they could produce a big amount of money. But how about the welfare

of the people? How about the image of media which is supposed to be “credible and

reliable?” I still believe in the goodwill and primary goal of Media which is to inform and

educate the public. This is just one of many reasons of spreading of Fake News and media

couldn’t fight it alone but it also needs us.

Calls for Action

The video regarding “fake news” gave me an idea about the importance of proper

communication especially in addressing to the public. As a communication student and a

future media practitioner, I learned that everything should be evaluated. I shouldn’t

engage with information which is not proven by a validated source even though how

trendy it was. This activity is a simple eye-opener for me that I should fully entrust my

learnings and my credentials to the online world. I would raise my voice in educating

other people about handling fake news. In that simple way, I could able to contribute

something in resolving issues like this.

In conclusion, I truly commend the video of CBS News entitled How “Fake News”

and Misinformation online is changing society because of its content that made me

educate and aware of the limitless harmful possibilities of “fake news.”

Citation/References Cited:

 How “Fake News” and Misinformation online is changing society. Video taken from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irHP3znqwq8&t=4s

 http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the-writing-process-

1/invention/Writing-a-Response-or-Reaction-Paper

 https://www.advancedwriters.com/blog/7-questions-you-need-to-answer-in-

your-reaction-paper-writing/
Spreading awareness, Debunking Fake News
|A reaction paper about Fake News|

ALLEIKKA F. TRAMBULO
BAB 1-B
College of Communication