Re:Anatomy of an online misinformation network
by panarky on Tuesday May 29, 2018 @09:19AM
(#17178865)
> there it is, a citation to back up the claim that Snopes is biased
Disinformation is built on shared assumptions with weak evidence.
When "everybody knows" the media is biased, all the effort by reporters, fact checkers and editors is instantly discredited and disinformation gets equal standing.
"Citation needed" is a challenge to examine the evidence. Sure, you can find citations to disinformation that "substantiates" disinformation.
It's not about the citation, it's about examining the credibility of the evidence.
No, it's not perfect and it never will be. But letting "everybody knows" statements go unchallenged is how we get to a world where "nobody knows" and evidence doesn't matter.
Disinformation is built on shared assumptions with weak evidence.
When "everybody knows" the media is biased, all the effort by reporters, fact checkers and editors is instantly discredited and disinformation gets equal standing.
"Citation needed" is a challenge to examine the evidence. Sure, you can find citations to disinformation that "substantiates" disinformation.
It's not about the citation, it's about examining the credibility of the evidence.
No, it's not perfect and it never will be. But letting "everybody knows" statements go unchallenged is how we get to a world where "nobody knows" and evidence doesn't matter.