Disinformation in the Digital Age

Abstract

AbstractDisinformation is an ancient phenomenon that digitization boosted. It is impossible to say whether the average quality of information is higher or lower online than what it was before, when news could only circulate through print, radio, or TV. Today, however, the game has changed: it is far easier to generate and spread information to reach wide audiences in the Internet age. And the predominant online business model, highly dependent on web traffic and advertisement, undoubtedly generates high incentives to maximize audience, possibly by eliciting emotional engagement in users and arousing them to share false stories on social media. Markets seem unable to curb disinformation by themselves. Thus, public policy is needed to reduce the spread of false information online and defuse its potentially harmful effects. Measures include fact-checking and enabling access to high-quality media, forcing platforms to become more transparent and forthcoming, for example, allowing researchers to access their data. Furthermore, promising actions include empowering users with educational tools to overcome their “behavioural biases” and increase their wariness towards what they read or view online.