Digital Communication Technology is not the Only Cause of Rapid Spread of Misinformation in Society

Xinyao Wang; Xinyao Cao; Jingrui Yu

doi:10.54097/0jkpk553

Authors

Xinyao Wang
Xinyao Cao
Jingrui Yu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/0jkpk553

Keywords:

Digital Communication, Spread of Misinformation, Communication Technology

Abstract

While achieving technological development in media communication, it is important to recognize the dual nature of technological advancement. This rapid development has led to a great threat of spreading misinformation, where ideas are no longer geographically restricted and spread globally at an unprecedented rate (Wang et al., 2019). Statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) 2021 show that 62% of Internet users have seen untrue or suspicious content online Georgiev (2024). Many people believe that digital communication technologies are the only reason for the accelerated spread of misinformation. On the contrary, I believe that this view ignores the more complex political motivations, social, cultural, and psychological underpinnings. While technology itself is an important agent in the process of spreading misinformation, other factors are also integral. Therefore, I do not agree that the cause lies solely in digital communication technology, and this paper will illustrate how technological and social factors interact with each other through examples.

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