NDM Story #28 - Fake news could affect next UK election, warns Channel 4 executive

Fake news could affect next UK election, warns Channel 4 executive

Summary:

This article discusses fake news, yet again; however, this time it is from a UK perspective. People are concerned that the issues that were supposedly caused by "fake news stories" in the US (for example, people being held at gunpoint in a pizza restaurant that was reported to be related to Hilary Clinton) would also occur in the UK when we have our own elections. They believe that these stories affected public votes and suggested that the same phenomenon would happen here. Therefore, three years prior to UK elections, they are requesting government intervention in order to prevent this from happening. They believe that the onus is on companies such as Google and Facebook despite these companies claims that they are merely technology companies as opposed to media associations. They also think that these firms are unlikely to "step up" and take responsibility for their actions which is why they are keen on gaining government intervention.

•A Buzzfeed survey found that 75% of adults believed fake news stories

•Facebook’s recent revelations that it has not been giving advertisers and publishers accurate information about how their content performs on the network as an example of the company’s lack of transparency.

My opinion:

I am quite shocked at the figures which display the number of gullible adults believing these news stories as I would have expected this number to be lower for them but this figure to be more representative of the younger population. This therefore displays ignorance from the public and shows that they don't seem to want to know the truth, as long as it reinforces perhaps their own opinions and vain desires. I understand why UK politicians may be concerned as it definitely could affect votes for the election. However, my personal belief is that the elections are rigged anyway so it wouldn't make a difference to the final result; whoever wins would've won regardless. Therefore, I think all of this hype over fake news is overly broadcast and although I see why it may cause a moral panic, I don't think it would have a huge impact in the future for the UK.