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Fake news: what went wrong and how to fix it | Jasper Jackson | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool


[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

on the morning of the 9th of November

on the morning of the 9th of November last year as it became increasingly

last year as it became increasingly

last year as it became increasingly clear that Donald Trump was about to

clear that Donald Trump was about to

clear that Donald Trump was about to become the 45th President of the United

become the 45th President of the United

become the 45th President of the United States the media and the political

States the media and the political

States the media and the political establishment desperately began

establishment desperately began

establishment desperately began searching for an explanation now it

searching for an explanation now it

searching for an explanation now it wasn’t just an explanation of how he’d

wasn’t just an explanation of how he’d

wasn’t just an explanation of how he’d come to win it was also how no one had

come to win it was also how no one had

come to win it was also how no one had really seen it coming I’m on the main

really seen it coming I’m on the main

really seen it coming I’m on the main explanation as they focused on was the

explanation as they focused on was the

explanation as they focused on was the rise of fake news people had seen it

rise of fake news people had seen it

rise of fake news people had seen it happening before the election and

happening before the election and

happening before the election and afterwards they suddenly thought was

afterwards they suddenly thought was

afterwards they suddenly thought was this the thing that swung it was this

this the thing that swung it was this

this the thing that swung it was this the thing that we didn’t see now I think

the thing that we didn’t see now I think

the thing that we didn’t see now I think actually a lot of this may be overblown

actually a lot of this may be overblown

actually a lot of this may be overblown in a presidential election the margins

in a presidential election the margins

in a presidential election the margins are small but we have very little

are small but we have very little

are small but we have very little evidence to suggest that it actually

evidence to suggest that it actually

evidence to suggest that it actually changed that many votes however the

changed that many votes however the

changed that many votes however the actual discussion and debate about fake

actual discussion and debate about fake

actual discussion and debate about fake news has opened up a problem that people

news has opened up a problem that people

news has opened up a problem that people have been ignoring for years and this is

have been ignoring for years and this is

have been ignoring for years and this is a fundamental change in the power

a fundamental change in the power

a fundamental change in the power dynamics of our information ecosystem

dynamics of our information ecosystem

dynamics of our information ecosystem now so look at this change it’s really

now so look at this change it’s really

now so look at this change it’s really useful to go back and examine how the

useful to go back and examine how the

useful to go back and examine how the modern media had an era of dominance

modern media had an era of dominance

modern media had an era of dominance before the Internet and the major

before the Internet and the major

before the Internet and the major technological innovation that allowed

technological innovation that allowed

technological innovation that allowed that was the Gutenberg press this was

that was the Gutenberg press this was

that was the Gutenberg press this was the first time that you could produce

the first time that you could produce

the first time that you could produce information for a huge numbers of people

information for a huge numbers of people

information for a huge numbers of people from one central location it’s changed

from one central location it’s changed

from one central location it’s changed over time with radio with TV in scale

over time with radio with TV in scale

over time with radio with TV in scale and scope and style but the fundamental

and scope and style but the fundamental

and scope and style but the fundamental principle remained intact

principle remained intact

principle remained intact it was the control of a printing press

it was the control of a printing press

it was the control of a printing press the access to a TV station having access

the access to a TV station having access

the access to a TV station having access to a radio tower that enabled you to

to a radio tower that enabled you to

to a radio tower that enabled you to reach huge nuns of people and tell them

reach huge nuns of people and tell them

reach huge nuns of people and tell them what was going on and no doubt the state

what was going on and no doubt the state

what was going on and no doubt the state of the world and these ways of broadcast

of the world and these ways of broadcast

of the world and these ways of broadcast the information were controlled by a

the information were controlled by a

the information were controlled by a small number of people often from

small number of people often from

small number of people often from similar backgrounds with shared views of

similar backgrounds with shared views of

similar backgrounds with shared views of the world and often associating with

the world and often associating with

the world and often associating with each other and those people were of

each other and those people were of

each other and those people were of course journalists people like him

course journalists people like him

course journalists people like him although I’m jealous that’s what we look

although I’m jealous that’s what we look

although I’m jealous that’s what we look like

like

like now if you ask most journalists why

now if you ask most journalists why

now if you ask most journalists why people believe them throughout most

people believe them throughout most

people believe them throughout most modern era and why people should still

modern era and why people should still

modern era and why people should still believe them then or me talk about

believe them then or me talk about

believe them then or me talk about ethics and skills they’ll talk about

ethics and skills they’ll talk about

ethics and skills they’ll talk about things like double sourcing rigorous

things like double sourcing rigorous

things like double sourcing rigorous fact-checking maybe a degree of

fact-checking maybe a degree of

fact-checking maybe a degree of neutrality in balance and those things

neutrality in balance and those things

neutrality in balance and those things are all great they’ve kept most

are all great they’ve kept most

are all great they’ve kept most journalists in check and they’ve also

journalists in check and they’ve also

journalists in check and they’ve also helped sometimes hold power to account

helped sometimes hold power to account

helped sometimes hold power to account inform the public and really importantly

inform the public and really importantly

inform the public and really importantly create consensus consensus around which

create consensus consensus around which

create consensus consensus around which people can actually make decisions

people can actually make decisions

people can actually make decisions around which we can run our democracy

around which we can run our democracy

around which we can run our democracy about which we can use to ensure society

about which we can use to ensure society

about which we can use to ensure society doesn’t get worse and hopefully improve

doesn’t get worse and hopefully improve

doesn’t get worse and hopefully improve it but no matter how good all those

it but no matter how good all those

it but no matter how good all those things are they’re not actually the

things are they’re not actually the

things are they’re not actually the reason journalists believed the main

reason journalists believed the main

reason journalists believed the main reason Jonas had believed is because

reason Jonas had believed is because

reason Jonas had believed is because they had access to those broadcast those

they had access to those broadcast those

they had access to those broadcast those broadcast tools so a radio station a TV

broadcast tools so a radio station a TV

broadcast tools so a radio station a TV station a printing press so what’s

station a printing press so what’s

station a printing press so what’s changed well this guy mainly this was

changed well this guy mainly this was

changed well this guy mainly this was taken in 1985 about a month before I was

taken in 1985 about a month before I was

taken in 1985 about a month before I was born and I was even til four years later

born and I was even til four years later

born and I was even til four years later that he invented the web not the Weber’s

that he invented the web not the Weber’s

that he invented the web not the Weber’s obviously change the world in a huge

obviously change the world in a huge

obviously change the world in a huge number of ways it’s upended all the

number of ways it’s upended all the

number of ways it’s upended all the different kind of technological skills

different kind of technological skills

different kind of technological skills we need it’s changed businesses and

we need it’s changed businesses and

we need it’s changed businesses and particularly it’s changed the power

particularly it’s changed the power

particularly it’s changed the power dynamic of our information ecosystem

dynamic of our information ecosystem

dynamic of our information ecosystem anyone can talk to anyone in Iraq a

anyone can talk to anyone in Iraq a

anyone can talk to anyone in Iraq a broadcast to anyone at virtually no cost

broadcast to anyone at virtually no cost

broadcast to anyone at virtually no cost and when it was being built there was a

and when it was being built there was a

and when it was being built there was a huge amount of optimism about what it

huge amount of optimism about what it

huge amount of optimism about what it would do for our democracy it would

would do for our democracy it would

would do for our democracy it would enable these conversations which would

enable these conversations which would

enable these conversations which would lead to better information sharing a

lead to better information sharing a

lead to better information sharing a better decision-making but inevitably

better decision-making but inevitably

better decision-making but inevitably with almost any technological innovation

with almost any technological innovation

with almost any technological innovation people have been misusing it now when we

people have been misusing it now when we

people have been misusing it now when we talk about fake news now we have them

talk about fake news now we have them

talk about fake news now we have them talk about the kind of articles designed

talk about the kind of articles designed

talk about the kind of articles designed to look like legitimate news sources

to look like legitimate news sources

to look like legitimate news sources created by Macedonian teenagers to gain

created by Macedonian teenagers to gain

created by Macedonian teenagers to gain ad dollars but actually it goes much

ad dollars but actually it goes much

ad dollars but actually it goes much broader there’s things like this so this

broader there’s things like this so this

broader there’s things like this so this is a Facebook post from a group called

is a Facebook post from a group called

is a Facebook post from a group called Britain first who have been around for

Britain first who have been around for

Britain first who have been around for quite a few years and a really good at

quite a few years and a really good at

quite a few years and a really good at using social media to spread what is

using social media to spread what is

using social media to spread what is effectively a racist message this is one

effectively a racist message this is one

effectively a racist message this is one trying to get people to share

trying to get people to share

trying to get people to share their fears that Nativity plays were

their fears that Nativity plays were

their fears that Nativity plays were under threat in UK schools Nativity

under threat in UK schools Nativity

under threat in UK schools Nativity place aren’t under threat in UK schools

place aren’t under threat in UK schools

place aren’t under threat in UK schools but it taps into something that makes

but it taps into something that makes

but it taps into something that makes people want to share it and that

people want to share it and that

people want to share it and that promotes a specific agenda mostly

promotes a specific agenda mostly

promotes a specific agenda mostly against immigrants and people of other

against immigrants and people of other

against immigrants and people of other religions here’s another example from

religions here’s another example from

religions here’s another example from Britain first because they’re

Britain first because they’re

Britain first because they’re particularly good at this this is one of

particularly good at this this is one of

particularly good at this this is one of their leaders and last year he tweeted a

their leaders and last year he tweeted a

their leaders and last year he tweeted a picture of a load of Muslim men

picture of a load of Muslim men

picture of a load of Muslim men celebrating a cricket win in Pakistan

celebrating a cricket win in Pakistan

celebrating a cricket win in Pakistan and as you can see he was thought he

and as you can see he was thought he

and as you can see he was thought he said he was talking about the Paris

said he was talking about the Paris

said he was talking about the Paris terror attacks but this isn’t just the

terror attacks but this isn’t just the

terror attacks but this isn’t just the right wing it’s also the left wing now

right wing it’s also the left wing now

right wing it’s also the left wing now does anyone recognize this put your

does anyone recognize this put your

does anyone recognize this put your hands up if you maybe you’ve seen it a

hands up if you maybe you’ve seen it a

hands up if you maybe you’ve seen it a few of you did any of you share it no I

few of you did any of you share it no I

few of you did any of you share it no I did I’m a journalist I should I should

did I’m a journalist I should I should

did I’m a journalist I should I should know better I should have checked it but

know better I should have checked it but

know better I should have checked it but I shared it because it appealed to the

I shared it because it appealed to the

I shared it because it appealed to the narrative that I had about Donald Trump

narrative that I had about Donald Trump

narrative that I had about Donald Trump and Republicans and the point here is

and Republicans and the point here is

and Republicans and the point here is that we’re now all operating on an a

that we’re now all operating on an a

that we’re now all operating on an a level playing field all the different

level playing field all the different

level playing field all the different sources of information no matter where

sources of information no matter where

sources of information no matter where they come from the matter who’s

they come from the matter who’s

they come from the matter who’s producing them are actually basically

producing them are actually basically

producing them are actually basically competing without any differentiation

competing without any differentiation

competing without any differentiation and the problem is that the public who

and the problem is that the public who

and the problem is that the public who have spent years getting used to having

have spent years getting used to having

have spent years getting used to having trusted sources of information really

trusted sources of information really

trusted sources of information really ill-equipped to navigate this situation

ill-equipped to navigate this situation

ill-equipped to navigate this situation and even worse the media are completely

and even worse the media are completely

and even worse the media are completely unprepared for the competition now as

unprepared for the competition now as

unprepared for the competition now as I’ve said this isn’t actually new this

I’ve said this isn’t actually new this

I’ve said this isn’t actually new this has been happening for years we’ve had

has been happening for years we’ve had

has been happening for years we’ve had Britain first you’ve had the web and

Britain first you’ve had the web and

Britain first you’ve had the web and lots of disinformation on there but

lots of disinformation on there but

lots of disinformation on there but Tom’s victory did two main things first

Tom’s victory did two main things first

Tom’s victory did two main things first it actually made the media wake up to

it actually made the media wake up to

it actually made the media wake up to this problem start discussing it but

this problem start discussing it but

this problem start discussing it but that led in turn to realisation among

that led in turn to realisation among

that led in turn to realisation among those who wanted to misuse the Internet

those who wanted to misuse the Internet

those who wanted to misuse the Internet but actually they could take advantage

but actually they could take advantage

but actually they could take advantage of it and of course we’re going to go

of it and of course we’re going to go

of it and of course we’re going to go back to this guy the speed with which

back to this guy the speed with which

back to this guy the speed with which everyone from the President to internet

everyone from the President to internet

everyone from the President to internet trolls and everyone in between that

trolls and everyone in between that

trolls and everyone in between that really underlines this problem the speed

really underlines this problem the speed

really underlines this problem the speed we actually used to fake news as a way

we actually used to fake news as a way

we actually used to fake news as a way to discredit people now clearly it’s

to discredit people now clearly it’s

to discredit people now clearly it’s opportunistic but it gets of that deeper

opportunistic but it gets of that deeper

opportunistic but it gets of that deeper realization that the authority that

realization that the authority that

realization that the authority that traditional media sources had doesn’t

traditional media sources had doesn’t

traditional media sources had doesn’t really exist on the internet anymore so

really exist on the internet anymore so

really exist on the internet anymore so when we now our about

when we now our about

when we now our about six months after Trump’s election well

six months after Trump’s election well

six months after Trump’s election well I’m going to use this guy I love a war

I’m going to use this guy I love a war

I’m going to use this guy I love a war analogy like pretty much most people in

analogy like pretty much most people in

analogy like pretty much most people in the media

the media

the media unfortunately this guy came up with the

unfortunately this guy came up with the

unfortunately this guy came up with the best term for this info wars this is

best term for this info wars this is

best term for this info wars this is Alex Jones he founded Infowars

Alex Jones he founded Infowars

Alex Jones he founded Infowars quite a few years ago and he’s one of

quite a few years ago and he’s one of

quite a few years ago and he’s one of many who really grasped this early on

many who really grasped this early on

many who really grasped this early on that they’re on a level playing field

that they’re on a level playing field

that they’re on a level playing field and it’s a war people using conventional

and it’s a war people using conventional

and it’s a war people using conventional weapons of rigor supporting and

weapons of rigor supporting and

weapons of rigor supporting and government press releases but others

government press releases but others

government press releases but others using weapons of mass deception fake

using weapons of mass deception fake

using weapons of mass deception fake news branding the press the opposition

news branding the press the opposition

news branding the press the opposition party and there’s no sort of Geneva

party and there’s no sort of Geneva

party and there’s no sort of Geneva Convention governing this stopping

Convention governing this stopping

Convention governing this stopping people from using the tools and and and

people from using the tools and and and

people from using the tools and and and this information that really do damage

this information that really do damage

this information that really do damage and because it’s taking place in our

and because it’s taking place in our

and because it’s taking place in our online spaces there are no civilians

online spaces there are no civilians

online spaces there are no civilians just people to be enlisted on one side

just people to be enlisted on one side

just people to be enlisted on one side or another no I will say it’s not just

or another no I will say it’s not just

or another no I will say it’s not just right-wing guys like Alex Jones doing

right-wing guys like Alex Jones doing

right-wing guys like Alex Jones doing this it is a left but I would argue the

this it is a left but I would argue the

this it is a left but I would argue the right-wing have been quicker to do it

right-wing have been quicker to do it

right-wing have been quicker to do it and also have done a bit more damage

and also have done a bit more damage

and also have done a bit more damage because there really aren’t casualties

because there really aren’t casualties

because there really aren’t casualties casualties like this guy this is Lenny

casualties like this guy this is Lenny

casualties like this guy this is Lenny Posner his son know he’s here pictured

Posner his son know he’s here pictured

Posner his son know he’s here pictured with was one of the many young children

with was one of the many young children

with was one of the many young children killed in the Sandy Hook massacre in

killed in the Sandy Hook massacre in

killed in the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012

2012

2012 now Bosna now gets regular death threats

now Bosna now gets regular death threats

now Bosna now gets regular death threats from people who are convinced that the

from people who are convinced that the

from people who are convinced that the Sandy Hook massacre was a fraud that it

Sandy Hook massacre was a fraud that it

Sandy Hook massacre was a fraud that it was a hoax it gets them regularly every

was a hoax it gets them regularly every

was a hoax it gets them regularly every week and he responds to them and you

week and he responds to them and you

week and he responds to them and you know tries to tell them that no it

know tries to tell them that no it

know tries to tell them that no it really happened he’s lost his son and

really happened he’s lost his son and

really happened he’s lost his son and he’s got this visceral experience that

he’s got this visceral experience that

he’s got this visceral experience that he knows it’s true but he’s been hounded

he knows it’s true but he’s been hounded

he knows it’s true but he’s been hounded wriggling and a thing about Lenny is

wriggling and a thing about Lenny is

wriggling and a thing about Lenny is before he started giving these death

before he started giving these death

before he started giving these death threats before these hoaxes has got in

threats before these hoaxes has got in

threats before these hoaxes has got in touch he is one of the people would have

touch he is one of the people would have

touch he is one of the people would have believed all the conspiracy theories he

believed all the conspiracy theories he

believed all the conspiracy theories he was a good he watched Alex Jones Alex

was a good he watched Alex Jones Alex

was a good he watched Alex Jones Alex Jones now promotes these conspiracy

Jones now promotes these conspiracy

Jones now promotes these conspiracy theories now this may sound like a

theories now this may sound like a

theories now this may sound like a lament for some golden age when people

lament for some golden age when people

lament for some golden age when people who look like this or all people who

who look like this or all people who

who look like this or all people who look like me got to tell you what the

look like me got to tell you what the

look like me got to tell you what the truth was

truth was

truth was got to tell you what information to

got to tell you what information to

got to tell you what information to trust but actually only MIT that era was

trust but actually only MIT that era was

trust but actually only MIT that era was fundamentally undemocratic and not only

fundamentally undemocratic and not only

fundamentally undemocratic and not only was it undemocratic

was it undemocratic

was it undemocratic but journalism in that monopolistic

but journalism in that monopolistic

but journalism in that monopolistic situation started to get lazy and an

situation started to get lazy and an

situation started to get lazy and an arguably arrogant and I’m going to give

arguably arrogant and I’m going to give

arguably arrogant and I’m going to give you some examples when you read an

you some examples when you read an

you some examples when you read an article and someone is quoted

article and someone is quoted

article and someone is quoted anonymously is it an anonymous source

anonymously is it an anonymous source

anonymously is it an anonymous source close to the company or close to the

close to the company or close to the

close to the company or close to the politician quite often every now and

politician quite often every now and

politician quite often every now and again that person will be the PR guy for

again that person will be the PR guy for

again that person will be the PR guy for that person for that company not always

that person for that company not always

that person for that company not always but but relatively regularly but do

but but relatively regularly but do

but but relatively regularly but do people know that do you know that when

people know that do you know that when

people know that do you know that when you’re reading an article another

you’re reading an article another

you’re reading an article another example Lobby journalists they’re the

example Lobby journalists they’re the

example Lobby journalists they’re the journalists who spend almost all the

journalists who spend almost all the

journalists who spend almost all the time in Parliament following MPs

time in Parliament following MPs

time in Parliament following MPs following speech is following votes now

following speech is following votes now

following speech is following votes now if someone gives a big speech at the end

if someone gives a big speech at the end

if someone gives a big speech at the end of it those journalists will often

of it those journalists will often

of it those journalists will often gather around and have a discussion

gather around and have a discussion

gather around and have a discussion what’s the best line what’s the most

what’s the best line what’s the most

what’s the best line what’s the most interesting angle and the result of this

interesting angle and the result of this

interesting angle and the result of this is that those journalists in some some

is that those journalists in some some

is that those journalists in some some instances will go back to their editors

instances will go back to their editors

instances will go back to their editors and they’ll say we think is this best

and they’ll say we think is this best

and they’ll say we think is this best line and you’ll see two newspapers who

line and you’ll see two newspapers who

line and you’ll see two newspapers who may be diametrically opposed in terms of

may be diametrically opposed in terms of

may be diametrically opposed in terms of politics come up with basically the same

politics come up with basically the same

politics come up with basically the same story with slight tweaks and even worse

story with slight tweaks and even worse

story with slight tweaks and even worse than that kind of arrogance is the fact

than that kind of arrogance is the fact

than that kind of arrogance is the fact that we’ve actually really failed to

that we’ve actually really failed to

that we’ve actually really failed to reflect the diversity of views and

reflect the diversity of views and

reflect the diversity of views and experiences that our audience have

experiences that our audience have

experiences that our audience have that’s to a large part because we come

that’s to a large part because we come

that’s to a large part because we come from a group of people who maybe not

from a group of people who maybe not

from a group of people who maybe not elite but we do have shared experiences

elite but we do have shared experiences

elite but we do have shared experiences the shared experiences of in the UK

the shared experiences of in the UK

the shared experiences of in the UK working in London of going to the same

working in London of going to the same

working in London of going to the same events and that is incredibly

events and that is incredibly

events and that is incredibly undemocratic

undemocratic

undemocratic in contrast the web is is in principle

in contrast the web is is in principle

in contrast the web is is in principle the most democratic thing that’s ever

the most democratic thing that’s ever

the most democratic thing that’s ever happened to human society the problem is

happened to human society the problem is

happened to human society the problem is that you’ve got bad actors taking

that you’ve got bad actors taking

that you’ve got bad actors taking advantage of the chaos bad actors like

advantage of the chaos bad actors like

advantage of the chaos bad actors like him again I just really love the photo

him again I just really love the photo

him again I just really love the photo it’s a bit distracting though so I’m

it’s a bit distracting though so I’m

it’s a bit distracting though so I’m just going to back to you a boring

just going to back to you a boring

just going to back to you a boring picture of a newsroom now you may

picture of a newsroom now you may

picture of a newsroom now you may realize when I’ve been talking about

realize when I’ve been talking about

realize when I’ve been talking about this change I haven’t been talking about

this change I haven’t been talking about

this change I haven’t been talking about the technology companies and in this

the technology companies and in this

the technology companies and in this debate the technology companies mainly

debate the technology companies mainly

debate the technology companies mainly Facebook and Google have taken all of

Facebook and Google have taken all of

Facebook and Google have taken all of the blame and absolutely they’re

the blame and absolutely they’re

the blame and absolutely they’re facilitating they’re accelerating this

facilitating they’re accelerating this

facilitating they’re accelerating this in many ways and they have a

in many ways and they have a

in many ways and they have a responsibility to act but I don’t think

responsibility to act but I don’t think

responsibility to act but I don’t think it’s enough to rely upon them to solve

it’s enough to rely upon them to solve

it’s enough to rely upon them to solve this problem

this problem

this problem it’s bigger than face

it’s bigger than face

it’s bigger than face working Google and I also did trust them

working Google and I also did trust them

working Google and I also did trust them to actually come up with the appropriate

to actually come up with the appropriate

to actually come up with the appropriate solution so what can we do well I

solution so what can we do well I

solution so what can we do well I believe that to actually change the

believe that to actually change the

believe that to actually change the situation and turn the web into a force

situation and turn the web into a force

situation and turn the web into a force for good in our information ecosystem we

for good in our information ecosystem we

for good in our information ecosystem we actually need a new partnership between

actually need a new partnership between

actually need a new partnership between the media and the audience now I’m going

the media and the audience now I’m going

the media and the audience now I’m going to start with with the media because

to start with with the media because

to start with with the media because that’s where I’m from

that’s where I’m from

that’s where I’m from and one of the good things about this

and one of the good things about this

and one of the good things about this debate about fake news is that we’ve

debate about fake news is that we’ve

debate about fake news is that we’ve actually got the situation where the

actually got the situation where the

actually got the situation where the people have been warning about these

people have been warning about these

people have been warning about these issues for a while of the guns being

issues for a while of the guns being

issues for a while of the guns being listened to and one of the my former

listened to and one of the my former

listened to and one of the my former colleagues of Guardian who is now a

colleagues of Guardian who is now a

colleagues of Guardian who is now a professor at Temple University in

professor at Temple University in

professor at Temple University in Philadelphia a man called Aaron Pihl

Philadelphia a man called Aaron Pihl

Philadelphia a man called Aaron Pihl Hoffer he came up with this as a

Hoffer he came up with this as a

Hoffer he came up with this as a question at a lot of practical solutions

question at a lot of practical solutions

question at a lot of practical solutions and the question was how do we optimize

and the question was how do we optimize

and the question was how do we optimize for trust and one of the practical

for trust and one of the practical

for trust and one of the practical solutions he came up with it is about

solutions he came up with it is about

solutions he came up with it is about advertising responsible advertising now

advertising responsible advertising now

advertising responsible advertising now this this is from CNN but you’ll see it

this this is from CNN but you’ll see it

this this is from CNN but you’ll see it on most websites right at the bottom and

on most websites right at the bottom and

on most websites right at the bottom and these were loaded sponsored ads that we

these were loaded sponsored ads that we

these were loaded sponsored ads that we get paid for now the money we get from

get paid for now the money we get from

get paid for now the money we get from these this funds journalism but if you

these this funds journalism but if you

these this funds journalism but if you look at these this is not responsible

look at these this is not responsible

look at these this is not responsible these are ads that are kind of often

these are ads that are kind of often

these are ads that are kind of often designed to look like news stories or

designed to look like news stories or

designed to look like news stories or links for instance to other publications

links for instance to other publications

links for instance to other publications that you know you probably wouldn’t ever

that you know you probably wouldn’t ever

that you know you probably wouldn’t ever tell your audience to read but we

tell your audience to read but we

tell your audience to read but we swallow this because we need the money

swallow this because we need the money

swallow this because we need the money yet we’re undermining the fundamental

yet we’re undermining the fundamental

yet we’re undermining the fundamental thing we need to build and that’s trust

thing we need to build and that’s trust

thing we need to build and that’s trust another of the suggestions is being much

another of the suggestions is being much

another of the suggestions is being much more explicit in explaining how we work

more explicit in explaining how we work

more explicit in explaining how we work journalists take for granted what we do

journalists take for granted what we do

journalists take for granted what we do a lot we kind of expect people to

a lot we kind of expect people to

a lot we kind of expect people to actually understand it without an

actually understand it without an

actually understand it without an explanation

explanation

explanation Suzanne example this is from The

Suzanne example this is from The

Suzanne example this is from The Guardian where I used to work these are

Guardian where I used to work these are

Guardian where I used to work these are two stories now one of these is an

two stories now one of these is an

two stories now one of these is an opinion story and one of these is a news

opinion story and one of these is a news

opinion story and one of these is a news story how do you know I know because

story how do you know I know because

story how do you know I know because they’re different colors but we sort of

they’re different colors but we sort of

they’re different colors but we sort of expect everyone else to just get that

expect everyone else to just get that

expect everyone else to just get that and this this really affected you can

and this this really affected you can

and this this really affected you can see this in the New York Times article

see this in the New York Times article

see this in the New York Times article recently where they hired an opinion

recently where they hired an opinion

recently where they hired an opinion writer who wrote that it was kind of

writer who wrote that it was kind of

writer who wrote that it was kind of okay to be a climate change denier and

okay to be a climate change denier and

okay to be a climate change denier and there was obviously lot of blowback and

there was obviously lot of blowback and

there was obviously lot of blowback and the response from the MIT was well this

the response from the MIT was well this

the response from the MIT was well this is an opinion piece you know we have to

is an opinion piece you know we have to

is an opinion piece you know we have to reflect a diverse range of opinions but

reflect a diverse range of opinions but

reflect a diverse range of opinions but the public don’t really get that you

the public don’t really get that you

the public don’t really get that you know explicitly

know explicitly

know explicitly explaining that all the time and so

explaining that all the time and so

explaining that all the time and so they’ve got lots of people unsubscribing

they’ve got lots of people unsubscribing

they’ve got lots of people unsubscribing it it really broke that trusted

it it really broke that trusted

it it really broke that trusted relationship partly because we weren’t

relationship partly because we weren’t

relationship partly because we weren’t expressing ourselves well enough and

expressing ourselves well enough and

expressing ourselves well enough and then possibly the most important thing

then possibly the most important thing

then possibly the most important thing this we need to talk to our audience and

this we need to talk to our audience and

this we need to talk to our audience and actually get engaged with you and so

actually get engaged with you and so

actually get engaged with you and so these are some examples so on the top

these are some examples so on the top

these are some examples so on the top your left you have CNN very simple

your left you have CNN very simple

your left you have CNN very simple project asking people to send in your

project asking people to send in your

project asking people to send in your reporting your pictures this is a way of

reporting your pictures this is a way of

reporting your pictures this is a way of actually building relationship then we

actually building relationship then we

actually building relationship then we have the Guardian at the bottom here and

have the Guardian at the bottom here and

have the Guardian at the bottom here and that’s is an example of one of the

that’s is an example of one of the

that’s is an example of one of the projects the Guardian is doing where

projects the Guardian is doing where

projects the Guardian is doing where they go out into the community and go

they go out into the community and go

they go out into the community and go and talk to Guardian readers about a

and talk to Guardian readers about a

and talk to Guardian readers about a specific issue they ask them what we

specific issue they ask them what we

specific issue they ask them what we should be covering who you should be

should be covering who you should be

should be covering who you should be talking to and generally could finally

talking to and generally could finally

talking to and generally could finally help them shape our coverage and then on

help them shape our coverage and then on

help them shape our coverage and then on that number

that number

that number you’re right you had the e correspondent

you’re right you had the e correspondent

you’re right you had the e correspondent these guys are our kind of hot stuff at

these guys are our kind of hot stuff at

these guys are our kind of hot stuff at the moment in the media because they’ve

the moment in the media because they’ve

the moment in the media because they’ve built a membership model for their

built a membership model for their

built a membership model for their journalism where their readers pay them

journalism where their readers pay them

journalism where their readers pay them but more importantly actually

but more importantly actually

but more importantly actually contributes to their journalism they’ve

contributes to their journalism they’ve

contributes to their journalism they’ve had some great scoops out of this and

had some great scoops out of this and

had some great scoops out of this and they also have an engaged audience who

they also have an engaged audience who

they also have an engaged audience who are always going to come back and keep

are always going to come back and keep

are always going to come back and keep helping them tweak things so that the

helping them tweak things so that the

helping them tweak things so that the trust is at the heart of what they do

trust is at the heart of what they do

trust is at the heart of what they do but as you may guess this is just one

but as you may guess this is just one

but as you may guess this is just one side of the equation and the other bit

side of the equation and the other bit

side of the equation and the other bit is you guys obviously we need your help

is you guys obviously we need your help

is you guys obviously we need your help the first one is really practical the

the first one is really practical the

the first one is really practical the first suggestion I have is a really

first suggestion I have is a really

first suggestion I have is a really practical idea here share responsibly

practical idea here share responsibly

practical idea here share responsibly it’s pretty simple if something really

it’s pretty simple if something really

it’s pretty simple if something really appeals to you it’s a great headline you

appeals to you it’s a great headline you

appeals to you it’s a great headline you really want to believe it check if it’s

really want to believe it check if it’s

really want to believe it check if it’s true before you share it it’s not hard

true before you share it it’s not hard

true before you share it it’s not hard another one though is actually challenge

another one though is actually challenge

another one though is actually challenge falsehoods you see bit on social media

falsehoods you see bit on social media

falsehoods you see bit on social media or in the pub if someone says or share

or in the pub if someone says or share

or in the pub if someone says or share something that you know is probably not

something that you know is probably not

something that you know is probably not true and you can prove it have that

true and you can prove it have that

true and you can prove it have that argument it may not be comfortable but

argument it may not be comfortable but

argument it may not be comfortable but it’s vital and then again just like the

it’s vital and then again just like the

it’s vital and then again just like the news organizations are trying to engage

news organizations are trying to engage

news organizations are trying to engage the public you need to engage back if we

the public you need to engage back if we

the public you need to engage back if we go out asking for input and we don’t

go out asking for input and we don’t

go out asking for input and we don’t receive anything we’re not going to

receive anything we’re not going to

receive anything we’re not going to change what we do and then one little

change what we do and then one little

change what we do and then one little selfish one also pay for the news you

selfish one also pay for the news you

selfish one also pay for the news you like because I need to pay my rent

like because I need to pay my rent

like because I need to pay my rent really badly now none of this is going

really badly now none of this is going

really badly now none of this is going to change the situation we’re in and put

to change the situation we’re in and put

to change the situation we’re in and put things back

things back

things back the way they were it won’t make the

the way they were it won’t make the

the way they were it won’t make the media the dominant force and information

media the dominant force and information

media the dominant force and information nothing that isn’t a massive restriction

nothing that isn’t a massive restriction

nothing that isn’t a massive restriction on freedom of expression actually would

on freedom of expression actually would

on freedom of expression actually would and it’s not going to make people stop

and it’s not going to make people stop

and it’s not going to make people stop believing falsehoods confirmation bias

believing falsehoods confirmation bias

believing falsehoods confirmation bias just natural human instincts makes

just natural human instincts makes

just natural human instincts makes people want to believe things and

people want to believe things and

people want to believe things and believe them but I do fundamentally

believe them but I do fundamentally

believe them but I do fundamentally believe that a cooperative relationship

believe that a cooperative relationship

believe that a cooperative relationship between the media and the public is the

between the media and the public is the

between the media and the public is the only way of creating a new strong

only way of creating a new strong

only way of creating a new strong information ecosystem that can resist

information ecosystem that can resist

information ecosystem that can resist the attempts to deceive miss inform and

the attempts to deceive miss inform and

the attempts to deceive miss inform and damage our democracy in our society

damage our democracy in our society

damage our democracy in our society thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

”

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