10/14/2023
from my stories - this year I learned a new phrase: infodemic. It’s when too much information, including false or misleading information, fills social media and trad media during a disease outbreak. It happens during war too - because we are so desperate to find out what’s going on we become gluttons for anything we can hold onto. We’re way more likely to share something because it’s moved us or shocked us without verifying it. Doesn’t mean it isn’t true. But my colleagues working in fighting disinfo have shown right now we are being flooded with it. we’ve moved from social media to algorithmic media, and social media companies care less and less about supporting newsrooms who are regulated to not mess us about and be accurate. It means you’ll have to do the heavy lifting for curating your own media diet. Don’t rely on the algorithm. Good luck.
