Fake News… You hear about it all the time. It's a term that was popularized by US President Donald Trump and he wields it like an executive samurai sword.
But, if you have internet access, chances are you may have already been receiving fake news in the form of news articles from sources such as WhatsApp groups, or via Facebook pages from individuals and organizations masquerading as credible information outlets.
But, what happens when these fake news producers deliberately attempt to mislead you to push their agenda? How can you separate fact from fiction, and how do you protect yourself from that kind of manipulation?
This morning, the Government, in collaboration with the US and Taiwanese Embassies in Belize, held a virtual media literacy forum to tackle these issues. 7News attended, and here's what the organizers had to say about it, at the opening ceremony of the Forum:
Audrey Wallace - CEO, Office of the Prime Minister
"The Office of the Prime Minister, in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of China/Taiwan, and Embassy of the United States in Belmopan, is very pleased to welcome you to this first-of-its-kind forum entitled, 'Navigating the Changing Media Landscape in Democracies: Fake News Vs Facts'."
"In the digital age, technology has opened a staggering array of communication possibilities, where distance is no longer an obstacle in connecting people and events, the world over."
H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen - Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
"With modern technology, at affordable cost, we now enjoy the advantages of receiving a lot more information in a short time and can quickly sense the impulse from all corners of the world. Unfortunately, that's not the whole story. Disinformation and misleading content, formed by hostile actors, externally or domestically, sometimes spread faster than facts. In many cases, they even spread faster than our immediate response for clarification."
Audrey Wallace
"The tools to create digital media are now in the hands of billions of people, via smartphones. Secondly, fiberoptic and satellite technology facilitate lightning-speed transmission across the globe. Finally, our photos, voice recordings, videos… can be manipulated very easily to enhance or distort the information that we captured."
Keith Gilges - Chargé d affaires, US Embassy
"In Belize, and nearly every country, the way information is researched, written, distributed, and consumed has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Control of news content is no longer limited to traditional media houses through daily and weekly newspapers, and radio and television broadcasts. In the old days, we relied on these media institutions to take raw information, and turn it into the news. They were our filters. We trusted, and usually, we knew them. With the introduction of new digital platforms, available on the internet to anyone, and easily accessible through mobile handheld technology, nearly every citizen has access to virtually unlimited sources of information, much of it unfiltered through the channels we were used to."
"This is real power, but as the old adage goes, with great power, comes great responsibility. As a global community, we have accepted and embraced our new powers, but we're still working on figuring out all of the responsibility part. We must learn to recognize that sights that appear to the elements of journalism, but without its ethics. We must recognize sources that have the profile of legitimate media without its commitment to professionalism and basic standards, sources that intentionally, and knowingly advance a false narrative for narrow and disingenuous purposes. Without the professional filter of traditional media houses, the burden of assessing and validating our sources of information has fallen to us."
H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen
"It is our sacred duty to ensure that freedom of speech and freedom of expression be protected by constitutions or laws, and it will be as easy as breathing the air. But, we need to caution ourselves if the criticism or news is based on fake information, whether it is based on unsourced and anonymous material, and finally, whether it comes from hostile actors with the intention of to degrade or political systems and undermine the trust in our democratic institutions. If you do cherish your freedom, I'm confident you will be willing to take on the responsibility to stop and counter fake news."
"Our Executive Yuan, which is the highest administrative body, has set up a real-time news clarification web page, to respond and counter the spread of fake news. In addition, a private organization named Taiwan Fact Check Center, among others is also established with the mission statement to verify news and information collected online, and via social media."
Keith Gilges
"The goal of today's forum is to help all of us develop the critical thinking skills that allow us to passionately engage in community and national conversations while retaining a healthy skepticism of outlandish claims, even if we really want to believe them, but without become overwhelmed, cynical or disaffected."
Tonight at 7:30, you can see a live discussion on the event called Fake News vs. Facts: Navigating the Changing Media Landscape in Democracies. The live virtual discussion will be aired by every major media house on TV and radio as well as the Facebook page of the Government Press Office.
