UNDERSTANDING FAKE NEWS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

In the age of social media, where the boundaries between real and reel world have become blurred, the trustability of the media has been a topic of contestation. With an increase in the number of websites, apps, and platforms available on the internet, we are surrounded with a huge amount of information and data about each and a wide range of topics of interest. This has led to the phenomenon of information disorder which comprises of information that can’t be trusted and is not based on facts, is often categorized as disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. Disinformation is content that is false and intended to cause harm. Misinformation is an untruthful content but the person sharing the content do not have the intention to cause harm to anyone as they believe it to be true, and malinformation is content that is intended to harm.

Building on this, the types of false content can be categorized into the following forms:

1.     False Connection

Here the content is not supported by the captions, headlines, or the visuals.

2.     False Context

Here, genuine content is shared with a false/wrong context.

3.     Manipulated Content

Here, the genuine information or imagery is manipulated to deceive the audience.

4.     Satire or Parody

Here, the content intended to entertain, not harm, but fool or joke, and publish facts in a humorous manner.

5.     Misleading Content

Here, the information is used to frame an issue or individual.

6.     Imposter Content

Here, the genuine sources are impersonated.

7.     Fabricated Content

Here, false content is devised to deceive and harm

The rise of social media and digital platforms has expanded access to information but also enabled the spread of false, misleading, and harmful content. The phenomenon of information disorder—including disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation—poses a major challenge in the digital age. Understanding false connections, manipulated content, and fabrications is vital for developing an informed public. While some content is harmless or satirical, others are designed to deceive or cause harm. Therefore, individuals must remain vigilant, critically assess information, and rely on credible sources.

Presidency School of Media Studies, through its BA (Journalism & Mass Communication) program, equips students with media literacy, fact-checking skills, and ethical journalism practices. This empowers them to combat information disorder and promote responsible reporting in today’s complex media landscape.