In an era where 'anyone can publish news', society must have an 'immune system' against fake news

Mainstream press and media are like 'information masks' to filter out fake news and false information.

Reporters take photos of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway section passing through Ho Chi Minh City on the day of technical traffic opening in April 2025 - Photo: DONG HA

Breaking news often spreads like wildfire on social media. It can be true or false.

The role of mainstream press and media in the era of fake news explosion

In the digital age, information is no longer produced solely by journalists or mainstream media outlets. Anyone can be a "content producer", anyone can become a "spokesperson" on a personal page, and anyone can even "manipulate psychology" from "self-produced" information.

However, among that information, fake news tends to spread faster than real news because of its sensational, shocking nature, and its appeal to the immediate emotions of many readers.

This suggests that digital media societies are prone to “instant reflex” – a sociological term for when societies experience information unfiltered, and react based on immediate emotions, often anger, surprise, or frustration.

In that context and situation, mainstream media is like "information masks" to filter out fake news and clarify the truth.

If fake news is considered an "information virus", then society needs a strong enough collective immune system to avoid being manipulated, divided or misled.

Such immunity cannot be generated on its own, but needs to be fostered through proactive, synchronous and persistent actions from the entire political system, the media and each individual.

What to do to have a "social immune system" against fake news?

To have a social immune system against fake news requires the participation of management agencies, press and media agencies, and readers and social network users.

First of all, the media management agency needs to strengthen the legal framework and continue to improve regulations on information management in cyberspace. In particular, there must be sanctions and strict enforcement against the act of spreading fake news, false information that causes public confusion or harms the reputation of organizations and individuals.

At the same time, there is a need for a specialized agency that can receive, verify and respond quickly to news suspected of being fake.

Regulators should require social media platforms to deploy algorithms to control misleading content, flagging unverified posts.

With press agencies, the media continues to affirm its role of criticism and leadership .

In the storm of fake news, people need reliable sources of information to consult. The mainstream press and media need to become the "lifebuoy" of public opinion, helping readers distinguish between the truth and cleverly disguised lies.

As for readers and social media users, they need to develop natural "antibodies" to fake news. They need to be equipped with knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to check sources of information, and ask themselves questions before each piece of information is shared.

Furthermore, people can also respond to misinformation, report harmful posts, and share reliable sources to help spread the truth.

It is important that societies have an immune mechanism, that is, the ability to detect, react to and resist its invasion, through a transparent, accurate and responsible information ecosystem.

Social immunity to fake news does not come from a single individual or organization, but is the result of multi-layered coordination: law, media, technology and citizen information culture.

When each person becomes an "antibody" - alert, critical and responsible - then fake news will no longer have a place to survive.

Fake news can spread quickly, but the truth, if properly protected by law, by the press and by a vigilant community... can still win.

That is the philosophy of a progressive social foundation, the foundation of a democratic, fair, civilized and strong nation. It is also the basis for creating a harmonious social order, where people can live, work and develop in a peaceful and respectful environment.

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Dr. PHAM DI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thoi-ma-ai-cung-co-the-xuat-ban-tin-xa-hoi-phai-co-he-mien-dich-voi-tin-gia-20250808091458065.htm