Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- Misinformation and disinformation - Mis- and disinformation in the 21st century’s increasingly complex information landscape
- Misinformation and disinformation - Why people spread mis- and disinformation and why people fall for it
- Misinformation and disinformation - What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?
- mass media - Changing landscape in the 21st century
- new media
- Misinformation and disinformation: Top Questions
Why has the ease of online publishing increased concerns about misinformation and disinformation?
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media convergence
In addition to functioning as a cell phone, Apple's touchscreen iPhone, released in 2007, has a built-in Web browser for viewing Internet content over wireless telephone networks and Wi-Fi connections. The iPhone also can be used as a multimedia playback device for listening to music or viewing videos.
In the context of media convergence, the ease of online publishing has fundamentally transformed the information landscape, shifting the role of audiences from passive consumers to active producers. This transition has increased concerns regarding misinformation and disinformation for several key reasons:1
- Loss of Gatekeepers: Traditionally, mass media outlets served as trusted gatekeepers that vetted information before publication. With the rise of digital platforms, anyone with a device can disseminate news, bypassing these professional standards and making it difficult to verify the accuracy of claims.231
- Speed and Accessibility: The ability to publish and share content instantly allows false information to spread like wildfire. Users can share unverified content with a single click, often prioritizing speed over accuracy.415
- Algorithmic Amplification: Social media algorithms are designed to maximize engagement. Because false narratives often evoke strong emotions like fear or anger, these systems may promote such content, creating feedback loops that accelerate the reach of misinformation.6
- Fragmentation: Media convergence has fragmented the mass audience into niche groups. This polarization allows bad actors to tailor disinformation to specific worldviews, making it harder to maintain a shared set of objective facts.13