It is undeniable: we are in an era where information flows in torrents. However, this supposed advantage is overshadowed by a silent and dangerous enemy: disinformation.
It is not a new phenomenon, but its scope and sophistication have reached alarming levels, as confirmed by the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE). This body has directly pointed to the owners of social networks, politicians and governments as the main responsible for the difficulty in accessing reliable news.
It is enough to take a look at our walls on social networks or at the statements of certain political leaders to verify the veracity of this statement. The lie is disguised as truth and spreads at the speed of a click, creating an atmosphere of confusion and widespread distrust.
Today we are under the absolute power of algorithms
Social media, with its promise of connection and information, has become the preferred stage for the proliferation of disinformation. And the responsibility falls largely on its owners, who exercise absolute control over what is published and viewed.
Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook, Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter) or the Chinese government on TikTok, despite the denials of its CEO, act as guardians of the information that suits them, manipulating the algorithms at will to favor particular interests or political agendas.
The result is a fragmented reality, where each user receives a biased version of events, filtered by algorithms designed to keep them connected, consuming and, ultimately, being manipulated.
Artificial intelligence: ally or enemy?
And as if the current situation were not worrying enough, experts warn of an even more complex future. Artificial intelligence (AI), with its ability to generate content autonomously, is seen as a powerful tool in the wrong hands.
Imagine the ability to create fake news, manipulated videos or false speeches, with such realism that it is impossible to distinguish them from reality. This possibility, far from being science fiction, is just around the corner.
What can we do?
Faced with this bleak outlook, it is easy to fall into resignation. However, the fight against disinformation is a challenge that concerns us all. It is vital to encourage critical thinking, verify information before sharing it and support independent and rigorous media.
Governments must be required to implement legal frameworks that regulate the activity of digital platforms without restricting freedom of expression. Likewise, technology companies must be pressured to assume their responsibility in the fight against disinformation, implementing control and transparency mechanisms in the operation of their algorithms.
And something very important, we must support the serious and truthful media, which do exist, so that they can continue to exist and honestly report on the reality that surrounds us.
Disinformation is a real threat to democracy and peaceful coexistence. We must become aware of its seriousness and act accordingly, before it is too late. Let us not allow lies to drown out truth and reason.
We all have our grain of sand to contribute.
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