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Social Media Misinformation: Democracy’s AI-Era Threat

Social-media platforms have become perfect harbors for fake news. Misinformation now spreads faster and wider than ever, with serious consequences. The World Economic Forum ranks digital misinformation among the top global risks, alongside water crises, financial failures, and climate change.

The problem isn’t that people search for fake news—they might stumble upon it unintentionally. Fake news thrives by triggering emotional reactions, spreading faster than factual content. Users share it for political gain, humor, or profit. AI tools like ChatGPT now let anyone pose as a credible source. Few bother to fact-check claims before sharing them.

Misinformation—the deliberate sharing of false stories—undermines democracy. Democracy relies on informed public participation, but fake news distorts decision-making. When voters face endless unverified claims, governments risk losing legitimacy. Misinformation also reduces political engagement. It spreads distrust in institutions and politicians, clouding the truth. Citizens grow hesitant to participate in processes they no longer trust.

Relentless fake news fuels unprecedented political attacks. This heightens public hostility and makes separating truth from lies nearly impossible. Governments often focus on development agendas to counter distractors. Critics argue leaders should prioritize genuine threats over baseless claims. No government can function without criticism. However, distinguishing valid concerns from noise is critical. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and progress requires patience.

Fake news often serves no purpose beyond chaos. For example, a doctored newspaper recently falsely listed a governor as under EACC investigation. Such tactics aim to deceive, even when the truth is straightforward. Social-media users fall into two groups. Casual observers often spot lies quickly. Others spend hours amplifying misinformation without verifying it.

Social-media now drowns in unregulated bloggers, self-proclaimed journalists, and partisan commentators. Society must return to media’s basic role: to inform, educate, and entertain. As Criss Jami said: “Just because something isn’t a lie doesn’t mean it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows he’s a liar, but one who speaks partial truths to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.”

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