Experts warns vs social consequences of fake news

Aside from individuals, the spread of fake news has a wider negative impact in society.

With "information at your fingertips" due to today's advanced technology.

However, instant information does not mean you can be fooled instantly, according to Professor JM Lanuza, who studies the spread of fake news.

In Maki Pulido’s Thursday report on "24 Oras," Lanuza said one's vulnerability to fake news depends on a person’s beliefs, experiences, biases, or weaknesses whether or not they will believe a particular information.

He added that these elements will be used by people who plan to scam others.

Behind them are the for-hire social media experts, marketing experts, and scammers who will look into your interests to convince you to believe their posts.

“Designed to be convincing. Kahit pa gaano ka ka-determined to be against it, kung ini-exploit niya weaknesses mo, cognitive weaknesses mo o yung biases mo, mahirap kwestuyinin,” said Lanuza, Signal Research Center head of research.

(Fake news is designed to be convincing. No matter how determined you are to be against it, if they exploit your weaknesses, particularly your cognitive weaknesses or biases, it’s difficult to doubt it.)

Fake news has a direct danger that, in some cases, involves money or one’s life.

In 2016, Mary Ann Obnamia was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

She was scared when the doctor advised her to undergo chemotherapy, so she looked for alternative medicine online. A product that was claimed to be natural chemotherapy appeared on her timeline, and she was convinced of its promises.

“Buhay ang kapalit talaga. Nahikayat sa information na sinasabi nila na may natural content na chemotherapy na hindi mo na kailangan magpa-chemo once ininum mo na toh, na sabi nila di mo kailangan makalbo di mo na kailangan magpunta ng ospital di mo kailangan magpunta ng duktor kasi may natural content ng chemotherapy so naniwala naman ako since ayoko nga po mag chemotherapy,” Obnamia said.

(My life was at stake as I faced the consequences. I was persuaded by the claim that their chemotherapy has natural ingredients, and that you don’t have to undergo chemo once you drink it; that once you drink it, you don’t have to be bald, go to the hospital, or consult a doctor since it has a natural content. So, I believed it since I didn’t want to undergo chemotherapy.)

After drinking the fake medicine for four years, medical lab results showed that Obnamia had a lesion on her chest and has now stage 4 cancer.

Obnamia then went back to the doctor, underwent chemotherapy, and is now cancer-free.

“Siguro sa part ko kung hope na naghahanap ako ng ibang alternative e pag-asa yun e kaya susugalan mo yun kasi nga ayaw mo ng ganitong gamutan,” Obnamia said as she explained why she believed the Facebook post.

(Maybe it's part of the hope that there is an alternative medication. If you believe that there is a chance to get better, you’ll gamble since you don’t want the other treatment.)

Aside from direct dangers like Obnamia’s experience, Lanuza said on a wider or macro-level perspective, society is also endangered.

“Ang dini-disable ng disinformation ay ability to trust, ability to dialogue, ability to debate. Wala pong pundasyon ang democratic institutions natin, walang naniniwala sa media, walang naniniwala sa schools,” Lanuza said.

(Disinformation disables the ability to trust, dialogue, and debate. Democratic institutions have no foundation, and no one believes in the media and schools.)

But how to combat fake news?

Signal Research Center advised using verified online news outlets to gather information.

“Punta ka media na news media kilala talaga like GMA kasi kumbaga merong accountability sa mga ganitong kinds of companies. Yung mga journalists di pwede gumawa ng basta basta ng content na ipakalat online. Whereas, pag influencers na pinupuntahan mo, walang accountability measures. So, may tendency na wala ng nagbabantay sa kanila,” said Juan Felix, head of Public Engagement in Sigla Research Center.

(You have to go to news media like GMA Integrated News since they have accountability. Journalists cannot just post content online unlike influencers that have no accountability measures. There is also a tendency that no one is supervising them.)

The fight against fake news should be a fight of the whole society.

Professor Edgar Belda and his team at the UP Child Development Center created a digital book for children so that instead of prohibiting the generation known as digital natives from using smartphones and computers, they will be taught how to process information online.

“Sa (In the book) book, we called it the red things, the red areas, red flag. I shouldn’t be watching this. The other one is agency building. Before they start accepting it as true, they should be able to stop, pause, brief, think, and then decide on what they currently know. Then, on how should they respond to this new information. Basically, that’s the concept of debunking. Kailangan pa rin ng tulong ng magulang (Guidance from the parents is still needed),” said Belda.

The digital book has a story guide to help the parents so that they too can learn, which is a way to prepare the next generation, who is living in the digital world. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News