Letter: Will You Fall for Social Media Fake News?

Published on: 3 Sep, 2023
Updated on: 4 Sep, 2023

From: Dawn Bennett

R4GV borough councillor for Clandon & Horsley

In response to: Social Media Attacks Did Affect Election Result

As a R4GV candidate for Clandon & Horsley, I had many questions asked about the “Battle for Guildford” video on the doorstep. In fact, one gentleman very firmly shut the door in my face after he asked if I supported “that development in Guildford”.

However, the most startling responses came from local friends and family, questioning my own and my party’s integrity. I spent too much time explaining the true facts and figures and undoing all the half-truths and untruths. It was presented so well to mislead so many.

We are so anaesthetised by fake news, so used to scrolling and believing everything we see and read on social media that we forget to question who writes and produces articles and why?

It is a sad indictment of our society that we allow ourselves to be constantly scammed by social media. Especially during election campaigns. Watch out at the next election – social media scamming will abound.

Will you fall for it?

Responses to Letter: Will You Fall for Social Media Fake News?

Peter Knight Reply

September 6, 2023 at 7:13 am

Perhaps Dawn Bennett can confirm what parts of the film were false? I voted for R4GV (but only as the alternative in my ward was too dire to contemplate).

My understanding from R4GV was that it was the North Street plan that went to the Planning Committee and that this was the best that they could get for Guildford. Here we are now with a revised lower scheme that we were all told was not possible. It is this that has me question their credibility (or lack of it).