Today-Feb 23
An Institute of Policy Studies report found that people generally do not act to stop the spread of falsehoods among their social networks. This is because many believed intervening would hurt their relationships or social standing if they were wrong. Some felt the fake news problem was not serious, or thought it was the Government’s or the media’s problem. The study also recommended ways to make media literacy campaigns more effective. The latest report formed part of a three-phase study by IPS senior research fellow Carol Soon commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Information. In a briefing with media on Wednesday, Dr Soon said that the second phase of the study confirmed “…that for those who want to play a part (against falsehoods), there is a hesitancy, reluctance and fear. And the fear can be attributed to a loss of face or social capital.” This is especially the case for respondents who were less information-savvy and exhibited less agency in their reaction to fake news. The study did conclude that people with higher education and from higher socio-economic backgrounds were better at accurately recalling information taught in the National Library Board’s media literacy campaign — Sure (Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate) — than other groups of respondents. Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sporeans-too-passive-over-fake-news-more-education-needed-calling-out-falsehoods-ips-study-1824696
