How to Spot Election Misinformation on Social Media
Published
New Zealand voters are being urged to check carefully the information they see online before the next election. Experts say false information is spreading on social media, and it can be hard to recognise. This article explains what misinformation is and how readers can protect themselves from it.
Misinformation is false information that is spread without any intention to cause harm. For example, a person may pass on a rumour to friends, or share a Facebook post that they believe is true. Although the person does not mean to deceive anyone, the false message can still reach many people very quickly. This is one reason why it can be difficult to stop once it starts moving online.
There are some simple steps that people can take to check whether a post is reliable. First, readers should look at where the information came from and whether the account that shared it is well known and trustworthy. Second, they should check whether other reliable news sources are reporting the same story. It is also useful to be careful with posts that make people feel very angry or frightened, because these are often designed to get attention. Finally, if a photo or video seems suspicious, a quick search may show whether it has been used before in a different context.
Before voting, New Zealanders are encouraged to rely on official sources, such as the Electoral Commission website, when they want to know about voting dates, enrolment and how to vote. By taking a few moments to check information, voters can make more informed decisions and help limit the spread of false claims.
Sources: RNZ
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