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Claire’s Column – Farewell To Fake News
Published on: 2 Mar, 2019
Updated on: 3 Mar, 2019
In this regular column – a must-read for all those interested in Guildford business – Claire Dee supports a call for stronger social media regulation.
Social media is part of everyday life. And for many in the thriving Guildford business community, myself included, it has become integral to how we share, learn and collaborate.
Claire Dee.
But when social media content crosses the blurred line into mainstream media news content, things become distorted and dangerous. Random people post random comments with no substance and fake news is born.
Online news and newspapers are now the norm. The difference is their content is written bytrained journalists who research and check facts, and their platforms are managed by skilled editors and publishers who ensure they are producing good quality real news. The Guildford Dragon NEWS is a prime example.
At present, social media doesn’t function in the same way, which is why fake news is rife.
Earlier this month, MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee completed a lengthy investigation into fake news and called for a new regulator to oversee content on social media sites. Facebook faced particularly harsh criticism. But it’s not just Facebook. Irresponsible activity on other social media platforms is commonplace too.
In February we learnt that Instagram users have been targeted by investment scammers, a Tesla executive is in legal hot water for sharing sensitive information on his Twitter feed, and YouTube will no longer pay for advertisements on channels with controversial anti-vaccination views following complaints from companies whose adverts were appearing alongside.
Like all new phenomenons, the speed at which they arrive and evolve is much faster than the laws and bodies that govern them. The DCMS Committee report is therefore welcome and not before time. Let’s just hope its findings and their implementation happen sooner rather than later, so real news and good journalism can continue to lead the way.
Claire Dee runs her own communications consultancy near Guildford and is an active member of the local business community, including sitting on the Surrey Chambers of Commerce board and co-chairing the Business Women in Surrey group. To learn more visit www.clairedeecommunications.com
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John Ferns
March 3, 2019 at 10:14 pm
Quote from Claire Dee: “Online news and newspapers are now the norm. The difference is their content is written by trained journalists who research and check facts, and their platforms are managed by skilled editors and publishers who ensure they are producing good quality real news.”
Does Ms Dee include the BBC?
Having just watched the tricks the BBC Panorama team were prepared to deploy in an attempted sensationalist Panorama expose on Tommy Robinson, the extreme right-wing English Defence League activist, I have to wonder…
It’s 63 minutes, but worth watching through to the end.
The proposed Panorama title ‘Takedown Tommy’ says it all.
John Sweeney, Panorama and the BBC caught bang to rights, methinks.
Mr Armstrong says: “While it is true that journalists pay due diligence to verification disciplines and have integrity when it comes to sources, they can still deliver fake news by what they choose to omit or the expressions they choose to use.”
Having just watched the tricks the BBC Panorama team were prepared to deploy in an attempted sensationalist Panorama expose on Tommy Robinson, the extreme right-wing English Defence League activist, I have to wonder…
It’s 63 minutes, but worth watching through to the end.
The proposed Panorama title ‘Takedown Tommy’ says it all.
John Sweeney, Panorama and the BBC caught bang to rights, methinks.
Editor’s comment: The Metro has reported that a BBC spokeswoman said: “BBC Panorama is investigating Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
“The BBC strongly rejects any suggestion that our journalism is ‘faked’ or biased. Any programme we broadcast will adhere to the BBC’s strict editorial guidelines.
“Some of the footage which has been released was recorded without our knowledge during this investigation and John Sweeney made some offensive and inappropriate remarks, for which he apologises. ‘BBC Panorama’s investigation will continue.”