50 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Misinformation Why & Who Spread Fake News

​In this article you will learn the following

-50 ways to protect yourself against misinformation

-27 Characteristics of people Who spread fake news, propaganda and misinformation and disinformation

-16 Ways How Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda etc. spreads and the reasons WHY it spreads

-9 Reasons Why You may Fall for the Fake News

-12 features of Fake news or any fabricated information

-7 Ways How New Technology and Social-Media help misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda become viral

Why do people spread fake-news - Ways to fight and counter misinformation and spread of false info on social media

Does Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda – harm society, communities and nations and individuals?

You bet [unless you are the initiator and are benefiting from it still in long term it would harm you and your loved ones].

THE HARM and damage caused by Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda -CAN NOT BE measured and CALCULATED and it may also cause irreversible and irreparable damage and destructions in many cases.

The purpose of the Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda – is to create misunderstanding, doubt, confusion, divide and major conflicts by stirring-up controversy, animosity and mistrust.

If you don't take care to identify what is truth and what is fake – you may face very negative and serious psychological, professional, social, financial and relationship issues.

With the popularity of social-media AND the rise of fanatics to the position of power and authority all around the world – the art and science of spreading misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda etc. has reached horrifying levels.

Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda - these could be articles or news items or videos or audios or even showing old newspaper clippings.

You will find that all these are cleverly and creatively designed by evil-geniuses with malicious intentions to promote disharmony, manipulate the target audience and create chaos and unrest - through reinforcing false perceptions of events, facts, news and statements to the readers.

In today's times since last few years – especially in India – spreading of fake-news has acquired a very horrendous, repulsive, appalling, nasty, toxic, suppressive and oppressive status and POWER.

Your ability to handle off-line as well as online propaganda, misinformation and fake news - can help you remain sane.

When the Insecure people in position of authority and power who could even be the nation head and the ruling clan - face the predicament of losing their credibility and influence and power – they use this highly effective technique.

Because there is so much information-overload – it becomes overwhelmingly difficult to sift through and identify what is accurate and what to ignore - to keep you safe and sane.

This information overload through Whatsapp and Instagram and YouTube and Facebook – makes it easier for these monsters to spread more fake-news and create chaos wreak havoc on the masses.

Creatively created headlines promising you the moon with fantastic photos - irrespective of the quality and truth – impacts and affects the masses – almost always in most negative ways.

These Fake stories are fabricated to hook you emotionally and trigger extreme emotional reactions and are designed to make its readers make it viral - few recent Hindi movies are great examples of using false information.

Although this was relatively harmless - I can recall one event of Lord Ganesh drinking milk - this happened in sometimes in mid-nineties – I was abroad and I got to know of this within say 4-5 hours through BBC – at that time there were no mobile-phones and no-internet.

12 features of Fake news or any fabricated information – they use all of the following and more

• 1.It would look like genuine news
• 2.Unverifiable information
• 3.Opinions written by non-experts
• 4.Information not found on other sites
• 5.Information that comes from other fake portals and sources
• 6.Stories that provoke strong emotions without giving any relevant facts
• 7.Exaggerated, questionable, unfounded or misleading headlines
• 8.Rumors to harm an individual, an organization, an institution, a country, a group of people or - for political gain
• 9.Impersonation of credible news sites through made-up stories to deceive readers
• 10.Fake news through parody and entertainment.
• 11.State-sponsored disinformation, misinformation, propaganda etc.
• 12.Small snippets in newsfeeds using fabricated and controversial issues

16 Ways How Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda etc. spreads and the reasons WHY it spreads

• 1.Misrepresenting to gain anything they desire – followers, power, money
• 2.Distortion of truth into outright lies or Using Half Truth
• 3.Fabrication of lies and spreading them to create false impression among the gullible and the brain-washed and the uneducated
• 4.Being Dishonest about their intent
• 5.Using Deception to hide and divert attention
• 6.Discredit others through using unbelievable information and data
• 7.Hide facts and truths
• 8.Create scandal about people they dislike
• 9.Create doubts about the truth and true people – mostly who makes them insecure
• 10.Disgrace and shame others
• 11.Insult, demean, disrepute and dishonor people who makes them scared
• 12.Using creative tactics to fool and cheat others
• 13.Using money to by people's loyalty
• 14.Using authority and power to suppress, silence and oppress people who question and challenge them
• 15.Using promises of grandiose future – without any base and intent
• 16.Using Kangaroo-courts, Crony-capitalism, Brute-power, Threat, Violence and everything else in their power to silence others

28 Characteristics of people Who spreads fake news, propaganda and misinformation and disinformation

• 1.People with extremely low levels of intelligence – can be brainwashed and molded easily or through very small inducement
• 2.In case highly qualified and educated people are doing this – they would be of genetically evil and vile nature OR are en-cashing this to meet their agenda and self-interest
• 3.People who have deep insecurities
• 4.Who have serious identity crisis – almost all the causes of supporting evil, corrupt and crime can be traced to this psychological disorders
• 5.People who are power-hungry and greedy for money
• 6.People who lack ability to discern – between truth and lies
• 7.People who don't have scientific bend of mind to question and challenge what idea or concept – that is being sold to them
• 8.People who are fanatics – religious or like right-wingers
• 9.People who go with crowd so as not to get noticed – most can be identified as having mob-mentality
• 10.People who lack positive values
• 11.People whom spreading lies helps them in creating image according to their inner self-image
• 12.People who will be greatly harmed and lose their credibility – if truth becomes known
• 13.People who are sadistic and enjoy making people suffer – especially the helpless and innocent ones
• 14.People who are tyrannical, authoritative and controlling
• 15.People with unhealthy psychological disorders –like megalomaniac, narcissist and people having other serious anti-social disorders
• 16.People whose loyalty can be bought very cheaply – even for few cents they can be induced to help spread lies
• 17.Politicians and unscrupulous businessmen and entrepreneurs and criminals as well as religious figures
• 18.People who want to get everything FREE and without putting any positive efforts
• 19.People who are looking for miracles and would believe anything that a mass is talking about
• 20.People who don't care – if their actions harms innocent and helpless
• 21.People who don't have any accomplishment or reasons to have self-pride, self-respect and self-esteem
• 22.Insecure People -who have compelling need to belong, to be part of something – they don't care even if it is temporary
• 23.People who are not educated or are illiterates
• 24.People who are part of questionable organizations and forums
• 25.People who are arrogant and totally blind to facts truths, logic and reasons
• 26.Jobless and goalless people
• 27.Living in a toxic environment where only source of news is the propaganda news channels
• 28.They lack integrity, remorse, moral-values

50 ways to protect yourself against misinformation

• 1.Find out from various sources – to ensure getting the most accurate information, data, facts and news
• 2.Disregard any TOO GOOD To BE TRUE – promises, claims and stories
• 3.Discount when your inner heart gives signal of anything being unlikely
• 4.Read from variedly different sources, watch diverse viewpoints and have discussions with people with knowledge and expertise –– especially whose credibility is very high
• 5.Form the habit of accepting only after verifying and the fact-checking –You must Pay serious attention to where your news is coming from
• 6.Form the habit of challenging and questioning – Stupid thoughts and concepts getting popular through Whatsapp and YouTube and similar widely used social media channels
• 7.Identify who said what – if the speakers are politicians or people with criminal or religious background without much education – ignore their statements and claims
• 8.Even if you inclined to agree with the information you got from social media – put efforts to check the original source
• 9.If you find mistakes in language, grammar or many people using the same very language – just be on your guard – most of the scammers and fake-news creators are stupid idiots
• 10.Only insecure people need to put other people down – and if you find someone or a group who are targeting hitherto respected people and ideas – beware and become alert
• 11.Anyone who abuses and insults others regularly – and there sole reason for this is – their not having anything of substance to talk about themselves and their own accomplishments – ignore or avoid them
• 12.One of the major tactic of misinformation and disinformation – is to twist the assessment criteria to suit their purpose – check the credibility of methods
• 13.Read beyond the headline – get the complete facts - The purpose of the headline is to get you to click on the link or buy that paper or magazine - often the person who wrote the headline didn't write the story
• 14.Stop watching Indian news channels – if you must - Get your news from a variety of sources
• 15.Learn to treat breaking news especially in Indian news channels – as false – next day read in few of the newspapers
• 16. Be aware that fake news can come in many forms
• 17.Learn to switch-off the channel or your thought process – which gets excited by gossip and hate-content – the propagators wants to incite you
• 18.Pay attention to the emotional feelings that you have afterreading or watching anything – especially if it creating extreme emotions within you – like anger, outrage or unmitigated joy – then you must read more deeply
• 19.Question and challenge every content that provokes strong emotion -Most disinformation is aimed at making you react impulsively which helps the perpetuators
• 20.Learn to identify people who without any background, education, knowledge, expertise, exposure and skills – claims and talk like experts – especially the politicians, news anchors, religious figures
• 21.If you notice your loved ones, friends and family believing the misinformation – show them why this information is false and harmful
• 22.Develop your expertise by reading and learning – to make you self-confident and self-assured – and not to be taken in by wrong info
• 23.If you know something is false – don't share that further
• 24.Train yourself to create awareness about the sabotage and damage the Misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda causes– albeit in a trusted circle and with people who are most close to you
• 25.Learn to use DuckDuckGo type of – search engine portal – to make your search private and avoid fake-news
• 26.Understand that each one of us are biased – keeping your biases in mind – to avoid this get your data, news and info from variety of sources to ensure multiple perspectives
• 27.Develop a critical mindset – by objectively becoming aware of your own biases and your emotions AND then trying to see from different perspectives
• 28.If it is a sponsored content – immediately be vary – I have seen on Facebook – statements where – they use celebrities saying "How I made this much money" or "The biggest mistake of my life"
• 29.Identify and use fact-checking sites to verify and re-verify any news of importance and impact
• 30.Learn the technique of Checking the authenticity of images – which may create negative and explosive emotions and reactions – most of the fake news industry uses what is called photo-shopped content
• 31.Although most of the social media platforms do try to check this menace – few countries make them go on their knees by making them accept their governmental diktat – as it is a business they comply
• 32.TRY TO VERIFY THAT THE CONTENT IS MISLEADING OR FALSE BEFORE YOU ENGAGE other people
• 33.Be very clear about whether TO COMMENT OR NOT TO COMMENT – on anything that you like
• 34.Learn about the background and mindset and leanings OF THE PERSON who wrote that piece
• 35.If it is something that can harm others - AVOID Escalating and sharing – BLOCK its source
• 36.Recognize your vulnerabilities – take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones
• 37.Take a pause – when something upsets you - Become aware of your emotions
• 38.Learn to manage your emotions better – ask yourself - why it is creating so much emotional turmoil within you – are you falling into the trap and getting hooked by unscrupulous people
• 39.Have a compelling goal and dream that you work on – which makes you focused
• 40.Identify your core values and the social causes that you want to work on
• 41.Master the courage of standing up for others and for the causes that you value
• 42.Evaluate, Evaluate, Evaluate – is it is current, is it is relevant, does it comes from the authoritative sources, is it accurate
• 43.Learn to locate and read the disclaimers – where they might have mentioned fiction or satire and having no resemblance with anything factual – many disinformation is passed as these
• 44.Be aware of your own political views and leanings - View stories that create strong reaction -with caution
• 45.Learn and use basic math to dissect – the figures given by fake news creators will never add up – as they use unsubstantiated and fabricated figures and statistics to make bogus claims [in one new show I heard – the person equating national-debt with fiscal-deficit]
• 46.Big businesses and political parties use powerful disinformation campaigns to influence by twisting and tweaking and fabricating information to create convincing false narratives
• 47.It may not be your fault for getting duped through these psychologically designed promotions - but being conscious of your math and these processes can help you know the truth
• 48.Be skeptical -Don't trust your gut -look for statistics and scientific reports as opposed to anecdotes or stories to confirm information – then go for in-depth Fact-checking
• 49.If you want to Respond publicly or privately - Watch your tone - Be empathetic - Share resources and verified information
• 50.Take steps to Insulate Yourself from Misinformation - interrupt your own reflex of sharing posts that outrage you or resonate with your beliefs -Scammers capitalize on that instinct by tailoring their stories to fit these

7 Ways How New Technology and Social-Media help misinformation, disinformation, fake news and propaganda become viral

• 1.Social media platforms recommendations too helps the spread – their algorithms works only on organic engagement of how often readers share or like the stories and do not factor accuracy of the content.
• 2.Artificial intelligence tools –magnifies and speeds-up this spread manifold by identifying the most gullible people and groups to target
• 3.Trollers - people who get PAID few cents for their efforts to deliberately post to upset and start arguments with other readers – they are in most cases losers with no human values
• 4.Unethical Hackers - who plant stories into real media news outlets – making them look as if they are from reliable sources
• 5.Bots – which are basically programed codes or computer algorithms (set of logic steps to complete a specific task) They simulate the behavior of human beings in a social network, interacting with other users, and spreading information and messages
• 6.Microtargeting- Fake News Directed to Specific Types of People using social media and cookies [especially tracking cookies] - when you then make certain selections while surfing the internet - the tracking cookies will tell the AI managed website to use the same setting when you visit it again
• 7.Making blind-supporters sharing, forwarding, liking and commenting continuously

9 Reasons Why You may Fall for the Fake News

• 1.Reacting on without evaluating the information accompanying to these signals attention-grabbing and emotions-provoking signals sent by fake news pieces and anchors
• 2.Because a large number of people have accepted something false as truth – you too do the same becoming yet another blind-sheep
• 3.Popularity makes you accept false as truth and many of you may even become the ambassadors to promote the falsehood further
• 4.Just because you like one thing – you support all the wrong-doings blindly of a group or party or cult
• 5.Poor memory in remembering what's real and what isn't - even when you were later presented with correct information - you accept it as true
• 6.You may feel that spreading propaganda does not do any harm to you –FACT is - you could be doing the biggest damage to your loved ones
• 7.You may have contacts who are majorly of poor human-values with Easy access to social media – their frequent toxic posts gets into you subconsciously
• 8.You have Nothing better to do – and you start whiling away your time – by mindless forwards
• 9.You might even intentionally forward the fake-news - to shock and create confusion and scare OR to have some sadistic fun