Dis vs Mis: How False Info Spreads

The next episode of the Harvard Data Science Review Podcast, titled “Are You Misinformed or Misinformed?”, explores the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Experts Scott Tranter, CEO and founder of Optimus Analytics, and Hany Farid, professor at UC Berkeley, join the podcast to share their research on the subject.

According to Farid, disinformation is the intentional spreading of misleading information, while misinformation is the unintended spread of false information. Tranter points out that fake news is highly politicized, and many people believe in fake news simply because it aligns with their beliefs. Between 60% and 90% of the public distrusts some form of news because they perceive that source as unreliable. So, how have news companies become more reliable? News outlets strive to provide accurate information, but social media platforms are intensifying these issues.

Hany Farid argues that Facebook is a major problem in the spread of false information because, although every social media app has issues with fake news, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg do not seem to have the intention of creating a more informed society. The app’s algorithms prioritize engaging content over accurate information. Farid suggests that Zuckerberg portrays himself as not being the “arbiter of truth” while controlling everything users see and hear on the platform. For example, if 64% of a hate group’s members joined because of a recommendation, the recommender would bear some responsibility. This is similar to Zuckerberg’s case, yet he is not acknowledging his responsibility.

Many people only read headlines because they are easy to read and provide a quick overview of the subject matter. However, it is crucial to read full articles and multiple sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of a news topic. Hany Farid emphasizes the importance of critical thinking. Simply reading headlines or skimming social media posts does not fulfill this need. One must thoroughly engage with news from various sources. In education, science is not just about chemistry and biology but about hypothesis and critical thinking. Similarly, history and English involve reading texts and uncovering their deeper meanings, while math requires careful consideration of numbers and formulas to solve problems.

Although I am fascinated by the spread of disinformation and the distinctions between disinformation and misinformation, I wish there were more statistics on how many people encounter posts involving disinformation or misinformation on social media, or how many people innocently repost such content. The issue with Zuckerberg and Facebook is new to me, and it intrigues me that someone so powerful has allowed fake news to proliferate so widely. Considering that Facebook was a major concern for Farid and Tranter, I would like to know how other social media platforms, like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, handle these issues. I am also curious about how things have changed since 2021 when this episode was released, and how the Israel-Hamas conflict and the US presidential election have influenced the spread of false information.

Your Not-Fake Friend,

Noah