This blog is part of our Sunday reading and Bridge course which given by Dilip Barad sir
" post-truth "
Post - truth is not one phenomenon;the concept relate to the combination of tactics of influence and opinion manipulation orchestrated by powerful economy and political interests, which primarily target initiative or ideas with the transformative potential.
What is called 'post-truth' is an expanded and new form of propaganda. Disinformation and opinion manipulation are old phenomena, and propaganda has existed for long time. Throughout history powerful actors have applied this method to further their interests. However social media pushed organized disinformation to a level never - before witnessed. Consequently new form of opinion manipulation are emerging.
Concept of post-truth :
In the wake of the political upheavals of Brexit and the 2016 U.S presidential election, "Post - truth" was selected as the word of the year by Oxford Dictionary (OED). Their entry for the word reads : "Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief".
An article on the OED web page explain that the prefix "post" does not refer to all time after truth, but rather to 'a time in which the specified concept [truth] has become unimportant or irrelevant. The 'Post-truth' suggests that the public , or the electorate shows little interest in 'The truth' (or objective facts), instead casting their votes for the candidate who manage to appeal to their emotions and belief.
why post-truth was chosen as the word of the year in 2016 ?
The OED decision to make " Poat - truth " their word of the year was based on the view that both the U. K. referendum and the U. S. Presidential election were
Won by politicians who were good at appealing to emotions, whereas politicians who tied their message to 'the way things are', that is to factual reality, lost out.
Emphasize the need for critical thinking and media literacy in today's digital age.
Information flows across borders and is accessed by a vast consumer base. Many of these consumer have impressionable minds that is, young people. It's thus imperative that they learn to look at any information objectively an critically, and midia. Literacy needs to be part of the modern day curriculum. Further, it has already been in library and information science, and journalism courses in higher education institutions.
The free flow of ideas and information is a precondition for any democracy to flourished. This requires a free media that can function without fear Or power, with the government providing only a regulatory framework.
Further, it dilutes the support and goodwill that are, at times, needed for development and progress.
Discuss how the post-truth phenomenon affects the way people form opinions today.
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Include examples of how misinformation or emotionally charged content has shaped public opinion in recent times.
The supreme Court directed electronic, print and social media platforms to ensure that the unverified and misleading news that may cause any disturbance or unfounded fear in the public is not disseminated. Creates a problem for the government and dents media credibility.
Overall, the post-truth phenomenon alters the process of opinion formation by elevating emotion and belief over evidence, fostering ideological divides, and complicating efforts to engage in fact-based, reasoned discussion.
COVID-19 Pandemic:
During the pandemic, misinformation about the virus, vaccines, and public health measures spread widely, especially on social media platforms. False claims about vaccine safety, the virus being a hoax, or miracle cures like hydroxychloroquine gained traction.Emotionally charged narratives, such as fears of government overreach or personal liberty, influenced many to oppose lockdowns, mask mandates, or vaccines, despite scientific evidence. This contributed to vaccine hesitancy, protests, and even violence in some places.
U.S. 2020 Presidential Election:
Claims of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 U.S. election, particularly around mail-in ballots, were repeatedly amplified by political leaders and media figures despite lacking substantial evidence. These allegations led many people to believe the election results were illegitimate, fueling the "Stop the Steal" movement.The culmination of this misinformation was the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol, where a group of individuals, motivated by false claims, attempted to overturn the election results.
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This movie become good example of "post - truth". There protagonist try to convey that what happened on 2nd October.
As of 2018, political commentators and academic researchers have identified post-truth politics as ascendant in many nations, notably Australia, Brazil, India, Ghana, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.
Role of digital platforms like WhatsApp, social media, and influencers in spreading post-truth narratives :
Digital platforms like WhatsApp, social media, and influencers play a crucial role in spreading post-truth narratives by amplifying misinformation and emotionally charged content. On WhatsApp and similar encrypted messaging platforms, misinformation can spread rapidly within private groups due to the ease of forwarding messages and the trust users place in content shared by friends or family. This makes it difficult for fact-checkers to intervene, allowing falsehoods to circulate unchecked. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram also contribute to the post-truth environment through algorithmic amplification, which prioritizes emotionally engaging content, often favoring misinformation over factual information. This creates echo chambers, where users are only exposed to viewpoints that reinforce their preexisting beliefs, making it harder to challenge false narratives.
Influencers, with their large followings and personal connection to their audiences, further exacerbate the issue by endorsing or promoting misinformation, whether intentionally or not. Their emotionally relatable messaging can make followers more receptive to misleading content, while some may also push hidden agendas or paid narratives, distorting public discourse. As a result, these platforms have become breeding grounds for misinformation, deepening societal divisions and shaping public opinion through emotionally charged, factually questionable content.
Discuss strategies you use or plan to use to remain critical of the information you receive online.
To remain critical of online information, I focus on cross-referencing multiple reputable sources to verify consistency and accuracy, as relying on a single source can lead to misinformation. Fact-checking tools like Snopes or PolitiFact are valuable in debunking false claims, especially when content spreads quickly on social media. Additionally, I stay skeptical of viral or emotionally charged content, as such information is often designed to provoke reactions rather than inform. Assessing the credibility of the source is crucial, ensuring that information comes from outlets or individuals with journalistic or academic integrity. Lastly, being aware of bias helps me understand potential agendas behind the content, allowing for a more balanced and informed perspective.
Indian initiative in countering fake news and disinformation :
The Union Government and media houses in India are making attempts to decipher real facts from fake once. For example, the India Today Group runs the India Today Anti Fake News War Room., with the hashtag #AFWAFactCheck and fact checking initiatives are begin.
Here are list of initiatives undertaken by India... https://mkbu.refread.com
In some cases this initiatives can help us to decipher right information or fact.
Summarize the importance of being aware of post-truth dynamics.
Being aware of post-truth dynamics is crucial because, in a post-truth environment, emotional appeals and personal beliefs often take precedence over objective facts. This can undermine trust in institutions, distort public debate, and fuel misinformation. Awareness helps individuals critically evaluate information, resist manipulation, and promote a more informed and rational discourse. It also emphasizes the importance of media literacy, fact-checking, and safeguarding democratic processes from being influenced by false or misleading narratives.
References :
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