The Misinformation Threat: A Techno-Governance Approach for Curbing the Fake News of Tomorrow

Abstract

Recent internationally relevant diplomatic and economic developments have placed a bright spotlight on the relevance of genuine and false claims. In a post-truth era, or as more commonly known, the era of fake news, an increasing interest has manifested in relation to how this phenomenon can and has been applied to thwart people's reasoning and behaviour. The advancements in modern technology have pushed scientists to question the scale and impact of fake news on humanity. Since technology has become closely integrated with the lives of humankind over the years, its pervasiveness is required to be taken into account to analyse how fake news is being generated and widely shared. For a first-hand impression of the issue, a survey was designed and distributed to the general public to take part in. Additionally, a set of interviews were conducted with specialists from a number of fields in which participants expressed their views on the issue and their suggestions on curbing it. Despite differences in their views, a general consensus was reached that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to reduce the threat, and better educate and inform the public. In doing so, multiple entities and skilled individuals must be roped in to play their part in safeguarding information veracity and supporting end users. The study also provides research insight into this impending threat that should give a clearer understanding of the fate of tomorrow's cyberspace as well as the societies we form a part of. The proposed recommendations, which combine both regulatory and technology fields, aim to bolster the capacity of nations and better equip governments in tackling the evolving state of fake news. It is envisioned that through these recommendations, societies move towards an age where both people and technology become part of the solution rather than the cause of such threats.