fake news

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How social media has changed society

It draws us in and riles us up — but we still can’t look away.

How social media has changed society
A man in a blue shirt is in focus among a group as he looks at his cellphone.

WhatsApp tipline to fight fake news ‘too little, too late,’ Indian police chief says

WhatsApp tipline to fight fake news ‘too little, too late,’ Indian police chief says
A Rohingya refugee helps children cross the mud after crossing the Naf River at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

In Myanmar, fake news spread on Facebook stokes ethnic violence

In Myanmar, fake news spread on Facebook stokes ethnic violence
Peace messages by graffiti artist Solo7 adorn Nairobi's Kibera slum in the run-up to the election on August 8.

Kenyans worry 'fake news' might spark more election violence

Kenyans worry 'fake news' might spark more election violence
An armed man walks on a path near the village of Nialdhiu, South Sudan

Online fake news and hate speech are fueling tribal 'genocide' in South Sudan

Online fake news and hate speech are fueling tribal 'genocide' in South Sudan
Reading the newspaper

Can we develop immunity against fake news?

The researchers behind a new study think we can — and their “inoculation” against fake news doesn’t require a needle.

Can we develop immunity against fake news?
Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum was the focus of a Russian smear campaign.

What it's like to be the victim of a Russian online smear campaign

Russia drew on a long legacy of disinformation when it turned its sights on a Washington Post columnist.

What it's like to be the victim of a Russian online smear campaign
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg

What's the role of social media in the news media?

Fake news stories spread like viruses across social media sites this election season. What can — and should — be done to stop fake news in the future?

What's the role of social media in the news media?
UNC professor Zeynep Tufekci says Facebook is offering the news equivalent of Halloween candy.

How to stop Facebook when its newsfeed 'serves Halloween candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner'

Social media is chipping away at democracy, and everyone saw it coming

How to stop Facebook when its newsfeed 'serves Halloween candy for breakfast, lunch and dinner'
The scenic town of Veles, Macedonia, is home to at least 100 false US news sites.

Kids in Macedonia made up and circulated many false news stories in the US election

It turns out that a lot of the false news stories shared on social media before the election were generated by teenagers in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. And according to BuzzFeed News, they made a good amount of money doing it.

Kids in Macedonia made up and circulated many false news stories in the US election