Fake News and Memes in Mexico

I think it’s important to say, let’s air it out:

False information abounds on social networks. There is a lot of misinformation, edited videos, unverified data or notes that have a very marked, deliberate agenda. There are many “memes” that seek, with bad intentions, to politically destabilize the country, and more in times of crisis. It is proven.

Let’s open our heads and give an example. Let’s think that about 50 reporters attend a press conference.

Of those 50 reporters, let’s think that 80% belong to a media that, for economic or political interests, wants to hit the speaker. Those 40 reporters (many with big fangs and very little ethics) will look for the mistake or the comment that, taken out of context, will make a big scandalous story.

Then, those 40 reporters will write their sharp story, which will be polished by an editor (who answers to the owner of the media) who will put on makeup, put a nice headline on it, and get it ready as a perfect attack.

All that poisoned (or infected) information will run through the social networks and “memes” and edited videos will be added which, far from talking about data or useful information, will show the distorted information.

It will not matter much if the press conference has touched on interesting and useful topics for society, as in this case, scientific information. What will run like wildfire through the networks will be these false notes and “memes”.

Poisoned information will be joined by bots that sow separation and fear. There will also be columnists, “influencers”, journalists and “opinion leaders” who receive a lot of money to complement the perfect attack. They will have created a bomb.

The worst thing is that many people will see these notes, memes and videos and believe or share them without questioning, without checking the facts or without reviewing the source. The content will then blow up and reach many people who, because they could not and will not see the original press conference, will believe the meme or the fake note.

This is one of many strategies to destabilize a country politically and economically, so that the politicians (and businessmen) who had lost their great privileges can return. It’s a lot of money at stake.

That’s why it’s important to talk about this issue, and that’s why it’s important not to share any meme or publication that reaches us. Ask Brazil what happened recently, a similar dirty war brought back the hard hand of Bolsonaro, the ultra-right.

Is that what we want for our country?

I suggest criteria, a lot of responsibility and a lot of ethics with what we share, no matter if we are from the left or the right. It’s just my advice and it’s just my opinion.

#NoMoreFakeNews