LPUD- Power up 150 LEO | The question of FAKE news

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When we talk about fake news we can not take it away from Freedom of Expression. When someone is endowed with the freedom to express freely, that essentially implies without having/imposing any limitation.

When it is wide open and without limitations, it encompasses the truth and false always. You might ask the question why would some say something false? Well, it is voluntary upon the people what they value, and also maybe there are economic incentives attached to it to do so.

Some experts vouc for absolute freedom of expression; and argue that if someone is misusing freedom of expression to peddle fake news, it is incumbent upon the good society to counter it.

Remember, Lipset(an American) has rightly said that Democracy runs on the footing of a good society in operation. A good society is already existent, to ensure Democracy works.

But one thing must deliberate and elaborate on why the good society or the good people would counter the fake news even though knowing that it is fake and it is their civic duty to counter it? They may have different priorities in their life.

But the intention behind fake news and those who are peddling it may be different, they may have some incentives in economic forms or some other forms. In today's world, "Narrative setting" has emerged as a new economy. Why do you want narrative--- because you want to portray and amplify something as vividly true and trending in the eyes of people at first glance. It may not be completely true or may even be false. But to set it in trending Narrative factory has evolved as a new economic frontier, mostly in the political and geopolitical context.

The real problem with fake news or freedom of expression is the centralization of this domain by the so-called institutions, elites, etc. I dont want to name them. But go and search maximum of the media outlets are owned by rich cartels, businesses that have a vested interest in how the Govt should function. They set the trend, they decide what news/info you should consume.

So just having the right to "Free expression" is one thing, and exercising it is another. The good society chooses not to counter the fake news because they do not find it worthwhile to do so or they do not have it on their priority list. While the other faction who peddle fake news are incentivized by vested interest. So it creates such a tapestry in which the good society indirectly paves the way for fake news.

I always ponder upon why those who peddle fake news have a cartel and why they constantly put a concerted effort; on the other hand, a good society, even to counter the bad things/ fake news does not have a cartel. This turf is not evenly balanced for sure.

In a turf of absolute free speech, the society at large needs institutionalization of real news and should be armed and equipped sufficiently with knowledge, technology, and human resources to pre-empt fake news in the first place.

Otherwise, fake news will spread like wildfire, the gullible people will consume it as something true. Most of the time, our biases are also responsible for that. In that case, someone would just need some or enough fable into his side to make it appear---oh' it could be true, and then the perception will be set in motion by our biases.

Psychology is a complex niche. Historically, it has always been easier to create a false perception than to create the right one.

Dilemma between Qualified Free Speech and Absolute free speech

If the subject of free speech is made qualified with reasonable restriction on freedom of speech, then you create a barrier even for reasonable and just arguments.

If you make it absolutely free, you allow the floods of fake news and narrative settings to become thriving businesses.

Infordemic is the new hazard in today's world.

The long-term solution is imbibing moral values right from childhood and creating a conducive environment/institutions to preserve them.

The short-term solution is to maintain a strict vigil and expand the knowledge economy, the good society at large should make sure that countering fake news is their civic duty.

The absence of a counterweight always makes it(fake news) appear true. Therefore bring a counterweight, make sure this counterweight is decentralized, and ensure spontaneous effective interventions.

The right to information is a legal right, that should not otherwise mean the right to be misinformed. To ensure that the fundamental right of free speech is preserved and that the citizens are entitled to the right to correct information, an overarching policy and a bottom-up approach should be followed. The counterweight to fake news should be created, institutionalized, and decentralized.

LPUD

Today is the 15th of July, Leo Power Up Day(LPUD). Engaging in Leothreads is my regular cup of tea.

Influence power or Leo Power is implicit in the strength of an immutable digital home. This home can be strengthened with Leo Power Up every month and the 15th of the month has been delineated for this.

Today I powered up 150 LEO to appropriate my behaviour equity for this LPUD event.

In time, I will power up more to make curation reasonable and valuable.

This is my participation for the Initiative: July Monthly Prompt

Check out the above post if you are keen to participate in a particular topic of the day.

Thank you.