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FIVE-PART SERIES ON FAKE NEWS: How Fake news is shaping political discourse in 20

Part 2. 

Fake news and misleading information significantly impact people’s thinking, especially when it comes to politics and essential decisions like elections. Social media makes it easy for false stories to spread, making it hard to know what’s true and what’s not. From made-up news articles to edited videos, these campaigns aim to cause confusion and make people distrust essential institutions.

In 2024, different media houses took actions such as teaching people how to spot fake news, checking the facts of stories, and ensuring that online platforms are fair and honest.

Misinformation is a big problem because it causes people to lose trust in essential things like democracy and public health. When people believe fake stories, it can change how they vote in elections and make them question whether their leaders are honest. False stories can make people angry during elections and split up society even more. This is bad because it makes it hard for people to make good decisions based on facts.

People who see wrong or confusing information might feel unsure and stop participating in essential things like voting. This can make society weaker and cause more problems.

To fight fake news, we need to work together. This means teaching people how to tell a story, checking if news stories are accurate, and making sure online platforms are open and fair. Also, it’s essential to be transparent and honest in sharing information so people can trust what they hear and make better choices.

Elections in different countries have also been hurt by fake news. People who spread fake news want to change how voters think, make it hard for democracy to work, and cause trouble. They use tricks like only showing news that fits with what someone already believes or using computer programs to pick what news people see so they only see things that make them angry.

Nibeditaa Speaks

Nibedita Sen is a seasoned Defence correspondent and aerospace journalist with over a decade of experience covering national security, aviation ecosystems, and strategic technologies. Trained under a Government of India program in 2018, she brings a field-informed and policy-driven perspective to her reporting on India’s rapidly evolving Defence and aerospace landscape. 

She is working with Edinbox since its inception. When she is not working, you can find her exploring new places and food. She is also a National level cadet from Scouts and Guides since the age of 7. Nibedita's international tenure includes environmental reporting as a science communicator for the Jerusalem Post. Her work transcends borders, illuminating complex scientific and environmental issues for global audiences.

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