Awareness about fake news: How to protect yourself from fake news!

Awareness about fake news: How to protect yourself from fake news!

In times of fake news and targeted disinformation, it is essential to address these issues. On February 6th at 7 p.m. an information evening by the Citizens' Foundation for the Fürstenfeldbruck district will take place in the Fürstenfeld event forum. Under the title “Who else do you believe?” The event invites you to take a closer look at the creation and spread of false reports. Due to limited places, participation is only possible after prior registration, which makes sense because demand is high.

As the South German newspaper reported, the agenda focuses on content such as identifying fake news and those who profit from it. The experts include specialists from Correctiv and the “Faktenfuchs” editorial team at Bayerischer Rundfunk. These are predestined to shed light on the darkness and help to understand the mechanisms of disinformation. Visitors also have the opportunity to ask questions directly and express their concerns.

Disinformation and its effects

Disinformation is a term that is often used in connection with elections these days. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education Disinformation is deliberately spread to influence public opinion. In parallel to misinformation that is spread unintentionally, the flood of false reports on the Internet poses major challenges. False claims arise again and again, especially during election campaigns, for example about the electoral system or the integrity of ballot boxes.

Some of this disinformation is amplified by modern technologies, such as deep fakes. This artificially generated content can easily be perceived as real and unsettles the public. An example from Slovakia shows how a manipulated audio recording was used to claim electoral fraud, which had a significant impact on electoral confidence.

The role of social media

Another reason why the topic remains relevant is the role of social media. Rumors and false reports spread particularly quickly here, especially in times of crisis. According to that Deutschlandfunk In the first quarter of 2023, 48 percent of internet users in Germany said they had come across false information. These worrying numbers show that it is time to promote critical thinking and media literacy.

Experts recommend actively engaging with information, questioning it critically and comparing different sources. This is the key to escaping disinforming frequencies and actually making informed decisions.

Those interested can register for the information evening on February 6th either by phone at 08141/348722, by email at kontakt@demokratie-lkr-ffb.de or online at eveeno.com Connect.