Fake news is seen as gossip magazines that rave about celebrities and their life or take quotes out of context. These most definitely are fake news but do we always know the truth when were given new information? John Berger states, “We are not born perceiving. We learn to perceive and not to perceive”(1). Believing what news stations emit keeps us unaware of everything that is going on. We are spoon-fed information and are told, “this is right, believe it.” Then why are there breaking news stories about dishonest politicians that we were previously told to trust? Distinguishing the real news from the fake, is a very important ability.
Fox News is the leader in putting their own spin on stories. They do not give “fake” news but they will give half truths and a strong right wing perspective. This is a form of propaganda because it doesn’t give you the whole story and let you decide your own view, it pushes the networks view on you, subtly changing your opinion.
There is also another form of fake news, which is mean to be funny satirical fake news. Shows such as The Colbert Report are meant to amuse and are not to be taken seriously as real news. This form of fake news does not detract from the news story but makes it funny. Other websites such as The Onion, are the same form of fake news where you are not exposed to only negative stories.
Although these fiction news stories are made for comedy they can shed light on situations in a different way. A news story I found on The Onion spoke about how the majority of children are abused by their parents, children report. It jokes that the abuse these children face is not getting a toy from Toys R Us, or having to help their father in the yard.(2) This made me think about how spoiled some children are becoming, and how some a sense of entitlement. These stories let you take what you want form them and actually become aware of things you wouldn’t normally notice in a typical news article.
1. Berger, John. Ways of seeing. London: Penguin Books, 1972.
2. Majority of Parents Abuse Children, Children Report. The Onion. 13 Apr. 2007. 12 Oct. 2009. http://www.theonion.com/content/news/majority_of_parents_abuse_children
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