Misinformer Of The Year: The Ecosystem Of Fake News And The "Alt-Right"

[pbmus]

An anti-intellectual alliance of misogynists and white nationalists is using cult tactics to harass and abuse Americans. They systematically attempt to discredit reputable sources. They replace logic with paranoia. They horrifically harass perceived political opponents. And this campaign, which has dangerous historical precedents, has been empowered by a fake news ecosystem and a tech industry

News

While reporting real news requires a newsroom and some sort of process that can be critiqued and examined, “fake news” is built to obfuscate and hide sources. Its creators are varied, from a random American making $10,000 a month from his fabricated Facebook posts to a group of teenagers in Macedonia running more than a hundred pro-Trump websites. The business model is simple: identify the news that people want to read, and give it to them, regardless of the truth and with no effort whatsoever put into actual reporting.

There is no question that fake news got lots of attention in 2016, in part because the president-elect himself -- and several people close to him -- pushed fabricated information. That’s deeply concerning, because data shows that not only do Americans believe lies they see on Facebook, but also that Americans across party lines say fake news is a real problem.

No one is more responsible for the rise of fake news than Facebook. It was Facebook’s platform that allowed fake news to spread far and wide. In fairness, the basic nature of the social media giant ensures that users will share lies to some extent. But the structures that Facebook built also made it easy to game. All content looks the same on Facebook, and the name of the source shows up in a small and almost unreadable font. The pages look nearly identical, regardless of their purpose or who is operating them. Of course, these factors have been in place since Facebook’s inception, but in 2016, other factors changed as well.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/12/27/misinformer-year-ecosystem-fake-news-and-alt-right/214899

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The best information on fake news I have read.

[Cha]

1. K&R! Misinformer Of The Year: The Ecosystem Of Fake News And The "Alt-Right"

"The best information on fake news I have read."

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/12/27/misinformer-year-ecosystem-fake-news-and-alt-right/214899

thanks pbmus

[NBachers]

2. Alt-Right- Isn't that a hip new way of looking at politics that's catching on with the trendsetters?

How do I get to be a member of this trendy new "Alt-Right" that everyone's buzzing about?

it's Right to be Alternative!

[hells]

3. F#ck facebook

I really thought that Zuckerberg was different but looking at what he does I have reached to the conclusion that he's just as greedy as the rest. This guy, same one that has earned now almost 50 billion dollars by pretty much advertising or in other words - displaying animated text on his site and getting paid because that same text influences customers and their choices, claims that fake ads can't change election. If ads can't change opinions and don't affect people's decisions, then where exactly does his money come from ? Maybe someone should go and ask him that. Would love to see his reaction.

[Initech]

6. I really think guerrilla marketing is responsible for most of society's ills.

I mean think about how much cheaper things would be if they didn't have to advertise every 30 seconds. Like especially the pharmaceutical industry, or cars, or air travel, or things of that nature. I really wonder how much cheaper medication would be if pharmaceutical companies didn't advertise 24/7. Or web hosting and not paying kickbacks to Taboola and Outbrain? All this crap does is obstruct, and Zuckerberg knows that better than anyone.

[uponit7771]

4. Most of the fake news comes from established news sources NOT challenging lies

[pbmus]

5. Certainly some of it...what percentage???

[cwydro]

7. I've seen fake news right here on DU.

It was pointed out to the OP who posted it, but to no avail.