Hating institutions has become normal. And fake news are grateful for it
Hating institutions has become normal, and this is perfect for fake news. Stay with me until the end and I will explain why the phrase “they all cheat anyway” helps lies spread online.
When we repeat “they are all the same”, every official message is filtered with suspicion. A press release or a public speech looks biased by default. At the same time, a random video, a forwarded message or a post by an unknown user looks more “authentic” just because it seems to come from outside the system.
Disinformation works exactly on this ground. It does not only invent stories, it uses distrust that already exists. It picks sensitive topics such as health, safety, money, jobs or migration and builds content that confirms the idea that “they” always hide something. Hoaxes on 5G, for example, pushed people in several countries to attack antennas, damaging real infrastructure and services. These lies worked because they reinforced suspicions about institutions and companies.
The phrase “they all cheat anyway” also erases differences. It puts in the same group those who try to work seriously and those who abuse their role. In this way nobody deserves to be heard, and those who spread conspiracies gain credibility just by saying “I am not with them”.
To cut oxygen to fake news we need three things: more transparency on how decisions are taken, real consequences for those who lie in public roles, and critical thinking education for all ages.
#ArtificialDecisions #MCC