Fighting Fake News

Real science is being distorted by fake news. How do you tell fact from fiction?

March 26, 2018

By Jacob Batchelor

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Why might people create and spread fake news?

Type “Is Earth . . .” into Google’s search bar, and here’s the first suggestion given by the website’s autocomplete function: “Is Earth . . . flat?” If that seems like a strange question, that’s because every middle and high school student has learned that Earth is, in fact, round. You don’t even need a textbook to figure it out—you can prove it for yourself (see Proof That Earth Is Round).

Recently, though, everyday Facebook users and celebrity basketball players have expressed skepticism about the shape of Earth. They claim to believe our planet is actually a flat disc and that the government is hiding this knowledge from the public. This bogus idea has spread like wildfire via social media and gained surprising popularity.

The “flat Earth movement” highlights the growing problem of people using the internet to peddle disinformation. It and other conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and fake news often spread online faster than they can be fact-checked. As a result, it’s becoming harder and harder for the public to distinguish fact from fiction.

Type “Is Earth” into Google’s search bar, and the website’s autocomplete feature will make suggestions. Here’s the first one: “Is Earth . . . flat?” That may seem like a strange question. Every middle and high school student has learned that Earth is round. You don’t even need a textbook to figure it out. You can prove it for yourself (see Proof That Earth Is Round).

But lately, some people have questioned Earth’s shape. Everyone from everyday Facebook users to famous basketball players have joined in. They say they believe our planet is really a flat disc, and the government is hiding this fact from people. This phony idea has spread over social media like wildfire and become quite popular.

The “flat Earth movement” points to a growing problem. People are using the internet to sell false stories. Other conspiracy theories, hoaxes, and fake news are also posted. They often spread online faster than they can be fact-checked. The result: It’s getting harder and harder for the public to tell fact from fiction.

OLD TRICK, NEW TECH

Fake news isn’t new. Hundreds of years ago, some of the earliest newspaper publishers in the U.S. fabricated or sensationalized controversial stories to sell copies and stir up political action. It wasn’t until the 20th century that truth and accuracy became the focus of print, radio, and television journalism. But instead of using reliable news outlets, more and more people today are turning to social media. Unfortunately, the information found on those platforms can come from sources that are biased, that fail to check their facts, or that just make things up (see How Teens Get Their News).

Today’s technology gives nearly anyone the ability to create a webpage that looks almost identical to reputable news sites. People then use these fake websites to post over-the-top stories or advertisements disguised as news to attract visitors. Some people do it as a joke or to make money, but others may have a more sinister purpose—to mislead the public for personal or political gain.

Not long ago, this type of online content would have remained hidden in the darkest corners of the internet. But the increased popularity of social media has helped some forms of fake news go mainstream. “Anyone can reach an international audience,” says Charles Seife, a journalism professor at New York University. “All you have to do is put something on Twitter.”

Fake news isn’t new. Some of the earliest newspapers in the U.S. did it hundreds of years ago. They made up stories, or made stories seem more shocking, to sell copies and stir up political action. Things got better in the 20th century. Truth and accuracy became important in print, radio, and television news reporting.

But not everyone gets news from trustworthy sources. More and more people are turning to social media instead. Sadly, the information found there may be false. It can come from sources that are biased, that don’t check their facts, or that make things up (see How Teens Get Their News).

Almost anyone can use today’s technology to create a webpage. The page can look almost the same as trustworthy news sites. Then people use these fake websites to post over-the-top stories. They also post ads that look like news to attract visitors. Some people do it as a joke or to make money, but others may have a more harmful reason. They want to fool the public for personal or political gain.

Not long ago, most people wouldn’t have seen this type of online content. It would have stayed hidden in the darkest corners of the internet. But the rise of social media has helped some forms of fake news become common. “Anyone can reach an international audience,” says Charles Seife. He’s a journalism professor at New York University in New York City. “All you have to do is put something on Twitter.”

HOW TEENS GET THEIR NEWS

It’s hard to keep up with current events. This graph shows what sources American teenagers use to stay up-to-date.

HOW TEENS GET THEIR NEWS

It’s hard to keep up with current events. This graph shows what sources American teenagers use to stay up-to-date.

A REAL PROBLEM

Fake news might seem entertaining and harmless. But in reality, its spread can have real consequences. The controversy surrounding climate change is one example.

The vast majority of scientists believe that human activity is causing the global average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere to increase. But climate change skeptics often spread fake news that gets readers to question basic science. This makes it easier for many people, including some leading politicians, to refuse to acknowledge that climate change exists.

Take the headline “‘Nearly All’ Recent Global Warming Is Fabricated, Study Finds.” The article claims climate scientists manipulated data to make it seem like Earth is warming faster than it actually is. But the article’s “study” is a blog post. The so-called manipulation is actually a proven method to increase the data’s accuracy by adjusting for how the information is collected. Readers might not catch this deception, which can alter their beliefs and behaviors.

“Democracy depends on intelligent group decision making,” says Jevin West, a data scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, who teaches a class on fake news. “We can’t make good decisions if we can’t rely on collective information and facts to make those decisions,” he says.

Fake news might seem fun and harmless. But its spread can have real effects. The argument about climate change is one example.

Almost all scientists believe that human activity is behind climate change. It’s causing the global average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere to rise. But many people refuse to admit that climate change exists. Some of them are leading politicians. They can do this because climate change skeptics often spread fake news. These false stories get people to question good science.

Take the headline “‘Nearly All’ Recent Global Warming Is Fabricated, Study Finds.” The article claims climate scientists changed data to make it seem like Earth is warming faster. But the article’s “study” is just a blog post. The so-called changes are really a proven method to improve the data’s accuracy. It adjusts for how the information is collected. Readers of the misleading article might not catch those things. They might read it and believe it.

“Democracy depends on intelligent group decision making,” says Jevin West, a data scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He teaches a class on fake news. “We can’t make good decisions if we can’t rely on collective information and facts to make those decisions,” he says.

PROOF THAT EARTH IS ROUND

Here are three easy ways to verify Earth is a sphere—not a flat disc.

LOOK AT THE MOON

During a lunar eclipse—when Earth passes between the sun and moon—Earth casts a curved shadow on the moon’s surface. The shadow is curved because Earth is spherical.

TAKE A HIKE

The higher you climb, the farther you can see. That’s because your line of sight on the ground can’t bend with the curvature of Earth.

VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

From the ISS, you can see the curvature of Earth with your own eyes. And if you’re not up for the years of study and training required to become an astronaut, you can always just look at pictures taken from the station.

PROOF THAT EARTH IS ROUND

Here are three easy ways to verify Earth is a sphere—not a flat disc.

LOOK AT THE MOON

During a lunar eclipse—when Earth passes between the sun and moon—Earth casts a curved shadow on the moon’s surface. The shadow is curved because Earth is spherical.

TAKE A HIKE

The higher you climb, the farther you can see. That’s because your line of sight on the ground can’t bend with the curvature of Earth.

VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

WHY IT WORKS

Understanding why people fall for fake news can help you avoid becoming a victim yourself. Part of the problem is that fake news can be hard to identify. According to a recent study from Stanford University in California, more than 80 percent of middle school students couldn’t distinguish between legitimate news stories and ads disguised as news.

Another issue is what psychologists call confirmation bias—the idea that we’re less likely to question evidence supporting something we already think is true. If you believe climate change is a hoax, for example, you’re not likely to question a story claiming to debunk climate scientists’ research.

It doesn’t help that many people spend time online in what researchers call an echo chamber—an environment where everyone on the social media sites and webpages you visit bounces the same beliefs back and forth. That insulates you from hearing viewpoints that conflict with your own. It also makes it easier for fake news creators to target you and your friends.

Lastly, people fall for fake news because it’s often more interesting than reality is. It can be hard for the truth to stand out in a world of constantly updating social media feeds.

Knowing why people fall for fake news can help you avoid being fooled. Part of the problem is that fake news can be hard to spot. A recent study from Stanford University in California looked at middle school students. It found that 80 percent of them couldn’t tell the difference between real news stories and ads that looked like news.

Another problem: If we already believe something is true, we’re less likely to question evidence that supports it. Psychologists call this idea confirmation bias. For example, say someone believes climate change is a hoax. He probably won’t question a story claiming to disprove climate research.

Many people spend time in an online environment that doesn’t help. Researchers call it an echo chamber. That’s where everyone on the social media sites and webpages you visit bounces the same beliefs back and forth. It stops you from hearing different viewpoints. It also makes it easier for fake news creators to target you and your friends.

There’s another reason people fall for fake news. It’s often more interesting than the truth. Social media feeds are constantly updating. It can be hard for the truth to stand out.

A WAY FORWARD

One way to stop the spread of false ideas online is by simply not sharing these stories. The more likes and clicks a fake news post gets, the higher it climbs to the top of search engines’ rankings. That makes the post seem more credible and increases its visibility.

Technology companies have recognized this issue and launched efforts to minimize the amount of fake news on their platforms. Google recently assigned 10,000 employees to flag suspicious articles and tweaked its search algorithm—a set of rules a computer program follows—to show fake news lower on its results page. Similarly, Facebook has launched a fact-check tool and deleted accounts that spread false information.

Ultimately, however, each person has to decide what he or she believes, says Seife. If you think critically, ask questions, and stay open to new information, you’ll not only avoid fake news but become a better news consumer in general. In fact, you may become a better scientist, too. “The whole point of science is to refine your understanding of what’s real and what isn’t over time,” says Seife.

There’s a simple way to stop the spread of false ideas online: Don’t share these stories. If a fake news post gets more likes and clicks, it climbs higher on search engines’ rankings. That makes it seem more believable and makes more people see it.

Technology companies are aware of the problem. They’re trying to reduce fake news. Recently, Google assigned 10,000 employees to flag fishy articles. To show fake news lower on its results page, Google changed its search algorithm. That’s a set of rules a computer program follows. Facebook has launched a fact-check tool and closed some accounts that spread false information.

In the end, each person has to decide what he or she believes, says Seife. Think critically, ask questions, and stay open to new information. Then you’ll avoid fake news, and you’ll also get better at using news in general. You may even become a better scientist. “The whole point of science is to refine your understanding of what’s real and what isn’t over time,” says Seife.

BE A SCIENCE FACT-CHECKER

Not all misleading news is outright fake. Sometimes it’s based on reality but sensationalized. Click here to read “Be a Science Fact-Checker.” The article gives tips about how to evaluate science-based claims in the media.