The Global Problem of Misinformation and Disinformation: How to Restore Trust in Media

Misinformation and disinformation is a rising global crisis that threatens democracy and media integrity. In today’s digital age where majority of the people are dependent upon the media for any information, they are rather stabbed with misinformation and disinformation. The Media’s core purpose of emergence was to keep people informed with the right knowledge. This information has become one of the most formidable challenges to global stability social trust and democracy. Across the globe misinformation and disinformation have found fertile ground often exacerbated by politics and media manipulation. In many cases, the media the cornerstone of a free and informed society has been compromised making it difficult for society to distinguish between the facts and the falsehood. Political Parties, stakeholders, and their supporters use fake names to sway public opinion targeting sensitive issues like crime health policies, and corruption. Moreover, misinformation is intentionally incorporated to create divides polarise votes, and cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral system.

Bursting The Myth

The problem of misinformation and disinformation is not exclusively practiced in any one particular region or country but rather it is more pervasive and affects nations across the world. While the global narrative has been made that India is suffering from the problem of misinformation and disinformation is itself an example of disinformation when other nations are facing this problem at a much larger scale than India. Here is a fact-check

• In countries such as Brazil the United States Russia and China, misinformation campaigns are not only widespread but often state-sponsored or politically motivated
• These countries share a disturbing trend where the political parties and the state actors increasingly control and influence the narratives which plays a key role in amplifying falsehoods. 
• Among the African ethnicity, Brazil comes on the topmost level in matters of misinformation and disinformation. It is claimed that the spread of misinformation was utilized in Brazil as a political weapon. 
• In the case of the United States, The growing influence of Misinformation on its political landscape was witnessed particularly during the 2020 elections where the false claims of widespread election were propagated which ultimately led to the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
• In Russia, misinformation and disinformation are often state-sponsored with the government using media to manipulate the general public opinion and exert influence on both the domestic and international front. The Russian government is often accused of controlling much of the media landscape disseminating narratives that align with its political interest while suppressing critical viewpoints. 
• Considering the larger picture it has become a praxis at the global level where the dominating nations utilize adulterated information to destabilize foreign governments' interference in elections and gaslight conflicts. 
• China under the leadership of the Communist Party has institutionalized a very restricted information ecosystem. The Chinese government uses censorship and surveillance to manage what the citizens can and cannot access online. The Chinese state was even accused of launching disinformation campaigns abroad, publishing narratives that promoted Chinese state interests, and suppressing critical points on issues like human rights and countries political system. The Chinese government is also accused of using media and social platforms to spread government-approved narratives. This came into notice when China responded to the go with pandemic where this information was used to downplay the severity of the virus COVID-19 initially to shift the blame on the global outbreak. 

The importance of Independent Media and measures to address the issue

The media one of the key pillars of a functioning democracy is often manipulated with several political agendas. The right to be informed is a fundamental aspect of any democracy. The citizens must have access to accurate reliable and independent news sources to make informed decisions when the government breaches the constitutional right of the citizens to receive truthful information. In countries where the media is compromised the general public is left in the dark about the critical issues about government policies to global events deliberately withheld or distorted information undermines the citizen’s ability to participate fully in civic life without access to accurate news people are unable to form rational opinions participate in meaningful ways and hold their leader accountable. 

The growing threat of misinformation and disinformation can be tackled by

• The independence of the media should be restored. In every nation, the media is suffering as they are owned by some stakeholders who manipulate the narratives produced by the media house. the government should issue strict regulations on such funded media houses. 
• The government should promote such educational training where the general public is taught methods to identify false information and the importance of crosschecking sources. This will psychologically assist the citizens in making informed decisions. 
• Moreover, Independent media outlets that are free from political clutches should be encouraged and protected as they play a crucial role in holding the governments accountable and presenting a balanced view of events.
• The media of any nation mirrors the mindset of citizens of that nation. it is the responsibility of every individual to criticize the fake one and support the truth.