Preserving Democracy From Fake News Propagated By Media Outlets
By Theodore Warnakulasuriya –MARCH 21, 2020
Dr. Theodore Warnakulasuriya
“He speaks in accents familiar to his victims, wears their face and their arguments, rots the soul of a nation, and infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist.’’- Cicero 2000 years ago, about the dissemination of fake news.”
We live in an age known as digital age bombarded day and night by fake news often with misinformation. At general election 2020 approaches, by looking also at the previous Presidential elections, there is a probability just as corona virus, spreading of more fake news by interested parties. How can we tackle the problem positively? This article is mostly based on the recent discussion promoted by European Political Strategy Center, posing number of questions to a prominent expert panel asking their frank opinions in dealing with “Fake News“ from a public policy perspective. The questions that raised were, (1), What are the general views on global trends linked to the emergence of ‘fake news’ and related issues? (2) Based on their professional experience and research, what has caused the spread of ‘fake news’ online and what evidence do they have of its impact on democracies, societies and economies? (3) which initiatives do they believe are necessary to tackle ‘fake news’ online and its related issues? (4) Given the seriousness and impact of “Fake News” what is the main message to the general public regarding what should (or should not) be done about ‘fake news’ and disinformation online?
In order to understand the plague of “fake news” that has shaken we Sri Lankans badly specially during the last presidential period we need to first understand why so many people are interested and giving importance to the media because as some believe correctly or wrongly, today they are the kingmakers of the day. As we know very well people are interested in studying or specilization in mass media for a number of reasons. Academics study it to better comprehend the process and to come up with theories that explain how and predict the way media operates at different levels. Students and others might study media to get an employable degree, or to become media literate so that they know and understand the various manifest and latent elements imbedded in the mass communication process. However, what is important to remember is that those in the media industry (Newspapers, Radio, Television and Web media) study it in order to increase their operating efficiency to improve their ratings and maximize their profits when they sell news and information products to the susceptible general public.
Media has functions as well as dysfunctions to perform in society. Though most of these functions are not mutually exclusive, they perform various important tasks for the people. Starting with the surveillance function, of the environment, which is also further divided into two main types. For example, beware surveillance such as ( coronavirus warning). Instrumental surveillance (where to go and what to do in case of the corona ).Secondly, the interpretation function which is closely connected with the surveillance function. Under the interpretation, we can include editorial cartoons, critics rating latest motion pictures, plays, books, restaurants, car models, bank rates and so on. Mass media do not simply supply facts and data only, but try to provide information on the meaning and significance of various events often sweet coated with their organizational ideologies. On the dysfunctional side, media surveillance and interpretation of selected events can give way to status conferral which can also create unnecessary and unwanted anxieties such as (reported panic buying of food items and sanitary items because of corona warning). Then there is linkage function, namely joining different elements of society that are not directly connected. A good example of the linkage function is the needs of those suffering various sicknesses are linked to the “Good Samaritans” namely people of goodwill who likes to help. The fourth function of the media is the transmission of values. This is also known as media socialization. Literally it means the ways an individual adopts the behaviour and values of a group.( Hairstyles, fashion wear can be examples). Another important function of mass media is the entertainment function, which is reading and enjoying mimes, watching and listening to programs such as Good Ugly and Bad, various reality shows such as superstar programs, and listening and watching you tube and listening to music, song, and watching plays. Of course, there are negative sides or disfunctions involved in all these aforementioned functions. On the role of providing news as we know that news values are normally formed by tradition, organizational policy, and economics and of late by the digital revolution. As we know, there are five main elements that characterize newsworthy events: Timeliness, Proximity, Prominence, Consequence, and human interest. Do the media still adhere to these norms?
However, as we are bombarded daily as looking doses of false you tube news, a proliferation of hate web sides, fake news videos, some news organizations promoting their own candidates armed with framing, agenda-setting, and cascading, no doubt all of us are bewildered. We are forced to ask the question whether, our main media institutions press, radio, television, internet and you tube, are playing according to the rules and ethics or they are misleading the susceptible public with misinformation to achieve their hidden agendas endangering democracy. We ask this because of recent presidential election memories, namely famous incident and media’s portrayal of” Relics found from Kelani River”. Media portrayal of Dr Shafi episode for alleged sterilization of Sinhalese Majority by performing caesarean deliveries.”, Media portrayal of national security issue in the back ground of Easter Sunday bombing, now famous Ranjan tapes targeting specially selected female politicians. Definitely they are some of the examples of fake news setting the media agenda for some of us. According to some experts, fast infiltration of fake news helped also the bringing down of incumbent government in the last presidential election. So is fake news shaking the foundation of democracy? How can we understand the spread of fake news? What precautions can we take to discern true news and fake news?
