so December 26th 2016 my family my wife my kids my in-laws and I are getting
my kids my in-laws and I are getting
my kids my in-laws and I are getting ready to go to dinner and my phone
ready to go to dinner and my phone
ready to go to dinner and my phone starts going off with breaking news
starts going off with breaking news
starts going off with breaking news alerts I only get my breaking news from
alerts I only get my breaking news from
alerts I only get my breaking news from reliable sources I’ve been a journalist
reliable sources I’ve been a journalist
reliable sources I’ve been a journalist for for 24 25 years I only get it from
for for 24 25 years I only get it from
for for 24 25 years I only get it from sources that rigorously check their
sources that rigorously check their
sources that rigorously check their information so when I look up and I see
information so when I look up and I see
information so when I look up and I see this tweet that George Michael has died
this tweet that George Michael has died
this tweet that George Michael has died I tell my family my kids look up from
I tell my family my kids look up from
I tell my family my kids look up from their phones like some of you too young
their phones like some of you too young
their phones like some of you too young to understand the George Michael sang
to understand the George Michael sang
to understand the George Michael sang every last hopeful song at my high
every last hopeful song at my high
every last hopeful song at my high school dances my wife does what she
school dances my wife does what she
school dances my wife does what she often does she started relating those
often does she started relating those
often does she started relating those things that George Michael is known for
things that George Michael is known for
things that George Michael is known for sort of an impromptu obituary my
sort of an impromptu obituary my
sort of an impromptu obituary my mother-in-law didn’t seem to have a
mother-in-law didn’t seem to have a
mother-in-law didn’t seem to have a reaction she was standing over by the
reaction she was standing over by the
reaction she was standing over by the side working on her computer sitting
side working on her computer sitting
side working on her computer sitting working on her computer moments later
working on her computer moments later
working on her computer moments later she pipes up that it’s a hoax he’s not
she pipes up that it’s a hoax he’s not
she pipes up that it’s a hoax he’s not dead
dead
dead so my first thought is did the New York
so my first thought is did the New York
so my first thought is did the New York Times and CNN both get tricked I mean
Times and CNN both get tricked I mean
Times and CNN both get tricked I mean George Michael was pretty young it was
George Michael was pretty young it was
George Michael was pretty young it was believable that maybe he didn’t die so I
believable that maybe he didn’t die so I
believable that maybe he didn’t die so I quickly walked over to her I’m looking
quickly walked over to her I’m looking
quickly walked over to her I’m looking over her shoulder and the article she’s
over her shoulder and the article she’s
over her shoulder and the article she’s reading is from a website I’ve never
reading is from a website I’ve never
reading is from a website I’ve never seen before and it’s dated the next day
seen before and it’s dated the next day
seen before and it’s dated the next day so I said I think what you’re looking at
so I said I think what you’re looking at
so I said I think what you’re looking at is a hoax
is a hoax
is a hoax my wife is an analyst she pokes up pipes
my wife is an analyst she pokes up pipes
my wife is an analyst she pokes up pipes up and says actually maybe it’s
up and says actually maybe it’s
up and says actually maybe it’s published in Australia where it’s
published in Australia where it’s
published in Australia where it’s already tomorrow so the fact that it’s
already tomorrow so the fact that it’s
already tomorrow so the fact that it’s the next day isn’t relevant so now this
the next day isn’t relevant so now this
the next day isn’t relevant so now this whole thing is thrown into confusion and
whole thing is thrown into confusion and
whole thing is thrown into confusion and we spend a little bit of time trying to
we spend a little bit of time trying to
we spend a little bit of time trying to figure out whether the New York Times
figure out whether the New York Times
figure out whether the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have have
and The Wall Street Journal have have
and The Wall Street Journal have have tricked us but the fact is that it was
tricked us but the fact is that it was
tricked us but the fact is that it was dead unfortunately and it sort of points
dead unfortunately and it sort of points
dead unfortunately and it sort of points to a bigger problem and that is that
to a bigger problem and that is that
to a bigger problem and that is that fake news shows confusion that obscures
fake news shows confusion that obscures
fake news shows confusion that obscures basic facts that prevents necessary
basic facts that prevents necessary
basic facts that prevents necessary debate while you’re wasting your time
debate while you’re wasting your time
debate while you’re wasting your time figuring out whether the news is
figuring out whether the news is
figuring out whether the news is actually true or not you’re not having
actually true or not you’re not having
actually true or not you’re not having the necessary debates whether it’s about
the necessary debates whether it’s about
the necessary debates whether it’s about whether Michael George Michael was a
whether Michael George Michael was a
whether Michael George Michael was a great artist or not
great artist or not
great artist or not the fact is this is what it does and in
the fact is this is what it does and in
the fact is this is what it does and in this troubled world in which we are in
this troubled world in which we are in
this troubled world in which we are in even basic facts are now up for debate
even basic facts are now up for debate
even basic facts are now up for debate now everything that’s not news isn’t
now everything that’s not news isn’t
now everything that’s not news isn’t fake news I’m talking about a very
fake news I’m talking about a very
fake news I’m talking about a very specific subset of things so for
specific subset of things so for
specific subset of things so for instance we’ve got something called
instance we’ve got something called
instance we’ve got something called native advertising you may be familiar
native advertising you may be familiar
native advertising you may be familiar with this it’s advertising it’s a story
with this it’s advertising it’s a story
with this it’s advertising it’s a story that’s paid for by an advertiser placed
that’s paid for by an advertiser placed
that’s paid for by an advertiser placed in a prominent place in this case it’s
in a prominent place in this case it’s
in a prominent place in this case it’s the Atlantic magazine and unless you can
the Atlantic magazine and unless you can
the Atlantic magazine and unless you can actually see that little thing that says
actually see that little thing that says
actually see that little thing that says sponsor content you may not be aware
sponsor content you may not be aware
sponsor content you may not be aware that this isn’t really a news story
that this isn’t really a news story
that this isn’t really a news story written by a journalist so while that’s
written by a journalist so while that’s
written by a journalist so while that’s not terrific I don’t raise it to the
not terrific I don’t raise it to the
not terrific I don’t raise it to the level of fake news because there’s some
level of fake news because there’s some
level of fake news because there’s some signposts there that it is actually fake
signposts there that it is actually fake
signposts there that it is actually fake and then there’s this satire you
and then there’s this satire you
and then there’s this satire you probably enjoy satire I enjoy satire
probably enjoy satire I enjoy satire
probably enjoy satire I enjoy satire it’s funny it’s opinionated it’s not
it’s funny it’s opinionated it’s not
it’s funny it’s opinionated it’s not always accurate though the good news
always accurate though the good news
always accurate though the good news though is that it has some basis in
though is that it has some basis in
though is that it has some basis in accuracy if you get all of your news
accuracy if you get all of your news
accuracy if you get all of your news from satire that’s a bit of a problem
from satire that’s a bit of a problem
from satire that’s a bit of a problem but if you use it for some of your news
but if you use it for some of your news
but if you use it for some of your news I don’t think it rises to the level of
I don’t think it rises to the level of
I don’t think it rises to the level of fake news the other thing that’s not
fake news the other thing that’s not
fake news the other thing that’s not fake news is a mistake
fake news is a mistake
fake news is a mistake inadvertently spreading incorrect
inadvertently spreading incorrect
inadvertently spreading incorrect information a bad source something like
information a bad source something like
information a bad source something like that if CNN had tweeted that George
that if CNN had tweeted that George
that if CNN had tweeted that George Michael had died and George Michael
Michael had died and George Michael
Michael had died and George Michael hadn’t died it would have been corrected
hadn’t died it would have been corrected
hadn’t died it would have been corrected very quickly they would have been an
very quickly they would have been an
very quickly they would have been an apology and you would have moved on so
apology and you would have moved on so
apology and you would have moved on so if the intent is not to deceive I don’t
if the intent is not to deceive I don’t
if the intent is not to deceive I don’t think that counts as fake news either
think that counts as fake news either
think that counts as fake news either let me give you another example
let me give you another example
let me give you another example some years ago 2012 I tweeted out based
some years ago 2012 I tweeted out based
some years ago 2012 I tweeted out based on information from CNN where I worked
on information from CNN where I worked
on information from CNN where I worked at the time relating to a shooting that
at the time relating to a shooting that
at the time relating to a shooting that had happened outside the Empire State
had happened outside the Empire State
had happened outside the Empire State Building in New York and this is what I
Building in New York and this is what I
Building in New York and this is what I tweeted breaking law enforcement source
tweeted breaking law enforcement source
tweeted breaking law enforcement source tells CNN there appears to be no
tells CNN there appears to be no
tells CNN there appears to be no terrorism connection to the Empire State
terrorism connection to the Empire State
terrorism connection to the Empire State Building shooting except look at that
Building shooting except look at that
Building shooting except look at that tweet a little more carefully I forgot
tweet a little more carefully I forgot
tweet a little more carefully I forgot the word know I learned the hard way
the word know I learned the hard way
the word know I learned the hard way about the meaning of the word no that
about the meaning of the word no that
about the meaning of the word no that day that tweet went out and it said
day that tweet went out and it said
day that tweet went out and it said exactly what it says they’re breaking
exactly what it says they’re breaking
exactly what it says they’re breaking law enforcement source tells CNN there
law enforcement source tells CNN there
law enforcement source tells CNN there appears to be terrorism connection to
appears to be terrorism connection to
appears to be terrorism connection to the Empire State Building you can
the Empire State Building you can
the Empire State Building you can imagine the effect that had that tweet
imagine the effect that had that tweet
imagine the effect that had that tweet spread like wildfire
spread like wildfire
spread like wildfire it went out there I deleted it which is
it went out there I deleted it which is
it went out there I deleted it which is not something you’re supposed to do but
not something you’re supposed to do but
not something you’re supposed to do but in that particular case when I nedd
in that particular case when I nedd
in that particular case when I nedd knowingly spread inadvertently spread
knowingly spread inadvertently spread
knowingly spread inadvertently spread false information I thought deleting it
false information I thought deleting it
false information I thought deleting it would be the best thing to do I
would be the best thing to do I
would be the best thing to do I apologize I responded to everybody who
apologize I responded to everybody who
apologize I responded to everybody who forwarded that tweet and everybody who
forwarded that tweet and everybody who
forwarded that tweet and everybody who responded to it I said sorry to my boss
responded to it I said sorry to my boss
responded to it I said sorry to my boss I had a big talking to and I learned the
I had a big talking to and I learned the
I had a big talking to and I learned the word the meaning of the word no but what
word the meaning of the word no but what
word the meaning of the word no but what nobody accused me of was lying or of
nobody accused me of was lying or of
nobody accused me of was lying or of spreading fake news they understood that
spreading fake news they understood that
spreading fake news they understood that this whole problem was about my fat
this whole problem was about my fat
this whole problem was about my fat fingers it wasn’t about my credibility
fingers it wasn’t about my credibility
fingers it wasn’t about my credibility the real problem is that there is fake
the real problem is that there is fake
the real problem is that there is fake news and it’s spread by a wolf and
news and it’s spread by a wolf and
news and it’s spread by a wolf and journalists clothing and this wolf would
journalists clothing and this wolf would
journalists clothing and this wolf would have you believe that the real news is
have you believe that the real news is
have you believe that the real news is actually fake and that’s the real
actually fake and that’s the real
actually fake and that’s the real problem that we’re facing today on
problem that we’re facing today on
problem that we’re facing today on December 4th I tweeted this out and
December 4th I tweeted this out and
December 4th I tweeted this out and notice in the bottom it was retweeted
notice in the bottom it was retweeted
notice in the bottom it was retweeted 11,000 times I tweeted breaking news the
11,000 times I tweeted breaking news the
11,000 times I tweeted breaking news the US Army Corps of Engineers halts the
US Army Corps of Engineers halts the
US Army Corps of Engineers halts the Dakota access pipeline work telling the
Dakota access pipeline work telling the
Dakota access pipeline work telling the Standing Rock reservation that the
Standing Rock reservation that the
Standing Rock reservation that the current route for the pipeline will be
current route for the pipeline will be
current route for the pipeline will be denied this is a very controversial
denied this is a very controversial
denied this is a very controversial issue I had this news earlier than most
issue I had this news earlier than most
issue I had this news earlier than most people did which is why it spread so
people did which is why it spread so
people did which is why it spread so many times because people wanted to
many times because people wanted to
many times because people wanted to distribute this information but one of
distribute this information but one of
distribute this information but one of the first responses I got to this tweet
the first responses I got to this tweet
the first responses I got to this tweet was what’s your source now come on I’m
was what’s your source now come on I’m
was what’s your source now come on I’m not a journalism student I’m a veteran
not a journalism student I’m a veteran
not a journalism student I’m a veteran journalist in my 24th year of this
journalist in my 24th year of this
journalist in my 24th year of this business if I spread breaking news that
business if I spread breaking news that
business if I spread breaking news that is false or wrong I am going to at the
is false or wrong I am going to at the
is false or wrong I am going to at the very least get disciplined and I could
very least get disciplined and I could
very least get disciplined and I could actually get fired but increasingly I am
actually get fired but increasingly I am
actually get fired but increasingly I am getting pushed back on social media from
getting pushed back on social media from
getting pushed back on social media from people who accuse me of purveying fake
people who accuse me of purveying fake
people who accuse me of purveying fake news there will my if you if you put in
news there will my if you if you put in
news there will my if you if you put in my name on you know my handle and fake
my name on you know my handle and fake
my name on you know my handle and fake news hashtag fake news you’ll see things
news hashtag fake news you’ll see things
news hashtag fake news you’ll see things show up and when you accuse legitimate
show up and when you accuse legitimate
show up and when you accuse legitimate journalists of being purveyors of fake
journalists of being purveyors of fake
journalists of being purveyors of fake news of lying it’s a little bit like
news of lying it’s a little bit like
news of lying it’s a little bit like asking somebody when he stopped beating
asking somebody when he stopped beating
asking somebody when he stopped beating his wife some of the damage is done in
his wife some of the damage is done in
his wife some of the damage is done in the accusation alone and when you deal
the accusation alone and when you deal
the accusation alone and when you deal Ajith amis journalism and when you deal
Ajith amis journalism and when you deal
Ajith amis journalism and when you deal Agito my’s facts and when you do that
Agito my’s facts and when you do that
Agito my’s facts and when you do that you create a vacuum in one of the most
you create a vacuum in one of the most
you create a vacuum in one of the most important checks in civil economic and
important checks in civil economic and
important checks in civil economic and political
political
political discourse because who then is going to
discourse because who then is going to
discourse because who then is going to be there to hold power to account is the
be there to hold power to account is the
be there to hold power to account is the crowd going to do it I get paid to do it
crowd going to do it I get paid to do it
crowd going to do it I get paid to do it others get paid to read information this
others get paid to read information this
others get paid to read information this is one of the major dangers of accusing
is one of the major dangers of accusing
is one of the major dangers of accusing real news providers of fake news let’s
real news providers of fake news let’s
real news providers of fake news let’s talk about a crowd that’s a crowd of 17
talk about a crowd that’s a crowd of 17
talk about a crowd that’s a crowd of 17 different US intelligence agencies all
different US intelligence agencies all
different US intelligence agencies all of which concluded that Russia had
of which concluded that Russia had
of which concluded that Russia had hacked the u.s. presidential election
hacked the u.s. presidential election
hacked the u.s. presidential election with the aim towards supporting Donald
with the aim towards supporting Donald
with the aim towards supporting Donald Trump but the president the new newly
Trump but the president the new newly
Trump but the president the new newly elected president of the United States
elected president of the United States
elected president of the United States didn’t believe it and 80% of his
didn’t believe it and 80% of his
didn’t believe it and 80% of his followers didn’t believe it either but
followers didn’t believe it either but
followers didn’t believe it either but of the rumor that Hillary Clinton was
of the rumor that Hillary Clinton was
of the rumor that Hillary Clinton was running a child sex slave ring out of
running a child sex slave ring out of
running a child sex slave ring out of the basement of this suburban DC pizza
the basement of this suburban DC pizza
the basement of this suburban DC pizza parlor 50% of his supporters believe
parlor 50% of his supporters believe
parlor 50% of his supporters believe that it could have been true including
that it could have been true including
that it could have been true including one who went there armed and fired three
one who went there armed and fired three
one who went there armed and fired three bullets he didn’t kill anyone
bullets he didn’t kill anyone
bullets he didn’t kill anyone he didn’t injure anybody he didn’t even
he didn’t injure anybody he didn’t even
he didn’t injure anybody he didn’t even hit anybody and he seemed honestly
hit anybody and he seemed honestly
hit anybody and he seemed honestly surprised that not only was there no
surprised that not only was there no
surprised that not only was there no child sex slave ring but there wasn’t
child sex slave ring but there wasn’t
child sex slave ring but there wasn’t even a basement many of Donald Trump’s
even a basement many of Donald Trump’s
even a basement many of Donald Trump’s followers believe this new claim he’s
followers believe this new claim he’s
followers believe this new claim he’s made that millions of people voted
made that millions of people voted
made that millions of people voted illegally in this election except that
illegally in this election except that
illegally in this election except that there’s no evidence there’s no proof
there’s no evidence there’s no proof
there’s no evidence there’s no proof there’s no nothing it’s just out there
there’s no nothing it’s just out there
there’s no nothing it’s just out there approximately half of Donald Trump
approximately half of Donald Trump
approximately half of Donald Trump supporters according to the latest poll
supporters according to the latest poll
supporters according to the latest poll latest poll believe that Donald that
latest poll believe that Donald that
latest poll believe that Donald that Barack Obama is a Kenyan born Muslim now
Barack Obama is a Kenyan born Muslim now
Barack Obama is a Kenyan born Muslim now the irony of all of this is that I
the irony of all of this is that I
the irony of all of this is that I actually am a Kenyan born Muslim and he
actually am a Kenyan born Muslim and he
actually am a Kenyan born Muslim and he wasn’t at any of the meetings
so this is part of the problem that that
so this is part of the problem that that there’s stuff out there that that just
there’s stuff out there that that just
there’s stuff out there that that just doesn’t work it would be bad enough if
doesn’t work it would be bad enough if
doesn’t work it would be bad enough if the President of the United States
the President of the United States
the President of the United States wasn’t going out of his way to actually
wasn’t going out of his way to actually
wasn’t going out of his way to actually promote some of this stuff I thought we
promote some of this stuff I thought we
promote some of this stuff I thought we were going into this election we would
were going into this election we would
were going into this election we would be covering really important things like
be covering really important things like
be covering really important things like how to rebuild America’s crumbling
how to rebuild America’s crumbling
how to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure and how to increase wages
infrastructure and how to increase wages
infrastructure and how to increase wages for a workers in America but instead we
for a workers in America but instead we
for a workers in America but instead we are debating discussing and reporting on
are debating discussing and reporting on
are debating discussing and reporting on absolute nonsense and part of that is
absolute nonsense and part of that is
absolute nonsense and part of that is because people don’t really think that
because people don’t really think that
because people don’t really think that we’re doing the right thing that we in
we’re doing the right thing that we in
we’re doing the right thing that we in journalism are doing what we’re supposed
journalism are doing what we’re supposed
journalism are doing what we’re supposed to be doing this is fed by a concept the
to be doing this is fed by a concept the
to be doing this is fed by a concept the traditional media which is what I’m
traditional media which is what I’m
traditional media which is what I’m referring to the places I’ve worked the
referring to the places I’ve worked the
referring to the places I’ve worked the CNN’s the CTV’s the Al Jazeera is the
CNN’s the CTV’s the Al Jazeera is the
CNN’s the CTV’s the Al Jazeera is the MSNBC s and NBC’s the traditional media
MSNBC s and NBC’s the traditional media
MSNBC s and NBC’s the traditional media perpetrates this elite consensus that
perpetrates this elite consensus that
perpetrates this elite consensus that questions some assumptions more than it
questions some assumptions more than it
questions some assumptions more than it questions other assumptions that somehow
questions other assumptions that somehow
questions other assumptions that somehow what we do is removed from the reality
what we do is removed from the reality
what we do is removed from the reality of people’s lives that we do our work in
of people’s lives that we do our work in
of people’s lives that we do our work in an ivory tower while news actually
an ivory tower while news actually
an ivory tower while news actually happens where people live people in my
happens where people live people in my
happens where people live people in my industry say that their goal is to hold
industry say that their goal is to hold
industry say that their goal is to hold power to account and yet on the Friday
power to account and yet on the Friday
power to account and yet on the Friday of inauguration I was watching
of inauguration I was watching
of inauguration I was watching newscasters on national news dressed to
newscasters on national news dressed to
newscasters on national news dressed to attend the inaugural balls of the
attend the inaugural balls of the
attend the inaugural balls of the President of the United States the same
President of the United States the same
President of the United States the same thing happens on the night of the White
thing happens on the night of the White
thing happens on the night of the White House Correspondents Dinner where we
House Correspondents Dinner where we
House Correspondents Dinner where we cover the fact that we’re all at these
cover the fact that we’re all at these
cover the fact that we’re all at these events
events
events why don’t you list try so hard to get
why don’t you list try so hard to get
why don’t you list try so hard to get themselves invited into the corridors of
themselves invited into the corridors of
themselves invited into the corridors of power and when we’re there why are we
power and when we’re there why are we
power and when we’re there why are we there not representing the people but
there not representing the people but
there not representing the people but rather there as invited guests eating
rather there as invited guests eating
rather there as invited guests eating the catered food I get it traditional
the catered food I get it traditional
the catered food I get it traditional journalism is flawed I get it we have
journalism is flawed I get it we have
journalism is flawed I get it we have some things to fix but I’m worried that
some things to fix but I’m worried that
some things to fix but I’m worried that what we’re doing and what fake news is
what we’re doing and what fake news is
what we’re doing and what fake news is helping us do is throw the baby out with
helping us do is throw the baby out with
helping us do is throw the baby out with the bathwater and that’s dangerous
the bathwater and that’s dangerous
the bathwater and that’s dangerous because we are uniquely equipped and
because we are uniquely equipped and
because we are uniquely equipped and resourced to hold power to account even
resourced to hold power to account even
resourced to hold power to account even if you don’t believe we do it all the
if you don’t believe we do it all the
if you don’t believe we do it all the time on the first Sunday after the
time on the first Sunday after the
time on the first Sunday after the inauguration on Meet the Press I don’t
inauguration on Meet the Press I don’t
inauguration on Meet the Press I don’t know if how many of you ever watch Meet
know if how many of you ever watch Meet
know if how many of you ever watch Meet the Press but it’s on NBC my colleague
the Press but it’s on NBC my colleague
the Press but it’s on NBC my colleague Chuck
Chuck
Chuck it hosts it and Kellyanne Conway went up
it hosts it and Kellyanne Conway went up
it hosts it and Kellyanne Conway went up you may have seen this clip she went up
you may have seen this clip she went up
you may have seen this clip she went up there and told Chuck that there are
there and told Chuck that there are
there and told Chuck that there are alternative facts we’d never really
alternative facts we’d never really
alternative facts we’d never really heard that term before and Chuck very
heard that term before and Chuck very
heard that term before and Chuck very quickly responded that alternative facts
quickly responded that alternative facts
quickly responded that alternative facts are not facts but part of the problem is
are not facts but part of the problem is
are not facts but part of the problem is that when the President of the United
that when the President of the United
that when the President of the United States is encouraging his supporters to
States is encouraging his supporters to
States is encouraging his supporters to believe that the media is not just out
believe that the media is not just out
believe that the media is not just out of touch or somewhat ineffective but
of touch or somewhat ineffective but
of touch or somewhat ineffective but it’s actually lying it causes the
it’s actually lying it causes the
it’s actually lying it causes the problem and that’s just one in a range
problem and that’s just one in a range
problem and that’s just one in a range of problems that are caused by this fake
of problems that are caused by this fake
of problems that are caused by this fake news phenomenon at its lowest level it’s
news phenomenon at its lowest level it’s
news phenomenon at its lowest level it’s a time suck it confuses you it causes
a time suck it confuses you it causes
a time suck it confuses you it causes you to spend your time trying to discern
you to spend your time trying to discern
you to spend your time trying to discern between fake news and real news and I
between fake news and real news and I
between fake news and real news and I think over time it can blunt your
think over time it can blunt your
think over time it can blunt your ability to actually do so I’ll give you
ability to actually do so I’ll give you
ability to actually do so I’ll give you an example a BuzzFeed study said that in
an example a BuzzFeed study said that in
an example a BuzzFeed study said that in 2016 of the top 20 fake news stories on
2016 of the top 20 fake news stories on
2016 of the top 20 fake news stories on fake Facebook they had 8.7 million
fake Facebook they had 8.7 million
fake Facebook they had 8.7 million shares comments reactions of the top 20
shares comments reactions of the top 20
shares comments reactions of the top 20 real news stories by major news
real news stories by major news
real news stories by major news organizations they had 1.7 million fewer
organizations they had 1.7 million fewer
organizations they had 1.7 million fewer so fake news is crowding out real news
so fake news is crowding out real news
so fake news is crowding out real news it means that journalists like me
it means that journalists like me
it means that journalists like me instead of following other stories and
instead of following other stories and
instead of following other stories and giving you new journalism and telling
giving you new journalism and telling
giving you new journalism and telling you stories about new things we’re busy
you stories about new things we’re busy
you stories about new things we’re busy debunking myths and that’s part of the
debunking myths and that’s part of the
debunking myths and that’s part of the problem that we’ve got and it’s it’s
problem that we’ve got and it’s it’s
problem that we’ve got and it’s it’s it’s about money initially it started to
it’s about money initially it started to
it’s about money initially it started to be about money and advertising and let
be about money and advertising and let
be about money and advertising and let me tell you how it used to work in the
me tell you how it used to work in the
me tell you how it used to work in the world of money and advertising in the
world of money and advertising in the
world of money and advertising in the old days a newspaper ad department
old days a newspaper ad department
old days a newspaper ad department person would meet with a real person at
person would meet with a real person at
person would meet with a real person at an advertising agency who was working on
an advertising agency who was working on
an advertising agency who was working on behalf of a advertiser a company that
behalf of a advertiser a company that
behalf of a advertiser a company that wanted to be associated one of their
wanted to be associated one of their
wanted to be associated one of their brand associated with the the news
brand associated with the the news
brand associated with the the news outlets brand but none of this happens
outlets brand but none of this happens
outlets brand but none of this happens anymore
anymore
anymore now algorithms determine the ads you see
now algorithms determine the ads you see
now algorithms determine the ads you see on the internet based on your surfing
on the internet based on your surfing
on the internet based on your surfing habits or your shopping habits and based
habits or your shopping habits and based
habits or your shopping habits and based on the cookies that are on the sites
on the cookies that are on the sites
on the cookies that are on the sites that you use so you get information they
that you use so you get information they
that you use so you get information they where you surf and if you start
where you surf and if you start
where you surf and if you start consuming fake news you’ll actually end
consuming fake news you’ll actually end
consuming fake news you’ll actually end up with more of it let me explain to you
up with more of it let me explain to you
up with more of it let me explain to you how these people make money let’s say
how these people make money let’s say
how these people make money let’s say that you saw a story show up somewhere
that you saw a story show up somewhere
that you saw a story show up somewhere in your feed that Justin Bieber is
in your feed that Justin Bieber is
in your feed that Justin Bieber is moving to Kingston doesn’t really matter
moving to Kingston doesn’t really matter
moving to Kingston doesn’t really matter whether you like Justin Bieber or you
whether you like Justin Bieber or you
whether you like Justin Bieber or you don’t if he’s moving to Kingston you’re
don’t if he’s moving to Kingston you’re
don’t if he’s moving to Kingston you’re going to you’re going to check the story
going to you’re going to check the story
going to you’re going to check the story you’re gonna click on the story and they
you’re gonna click on the story and they
you’re gonna click on the story and they count on the fact that you do so you’re
count on the fact that you do so you’re
count on the fact that you do so you’re going to go to this absolutely made-up
going to go to this absolutely made-up
going to go to this absolutely made-up story and but there’ll be an ad near it
story and but there’ll be an ad near it
story and but there’ll be an ad near it and as a result the advertiser pays the
and as a result the advertiser pays the
and as a result the advertiser pays the owner of that website a certain amount
owner of that website a certain amount
owner of that website a certain amount of money a fraction of a cent and they
of money a fraction of a cent and they
of money a fraction of a cent and they do this lots of times then let’s say
do this lots of times then let’s say
do this lots of times then let’s say this this purveyor of fake news takes
this this purveyor of fake news takes
this this purveyor of fake news takes that story and changes Kingston to one
that story and changes Kingston to one
that story and changes Kingston to one of any of 100 different or fully 100
of any of 100 different or fully 100
of any of 100 different or fully 100 different towns around the country so
different towns around the country so
different towns around the country so now everybody’s clicking on this story
now everybody’s clicking on this story
now everybody’s clicking on this story and that they change the name of Justin
and that they change the name of Justin
and that they change the name of Justin Bieber to one of a hundred different
Bieber to one of a hundred different
Bieber to one of a hundred different other celebrities this is how it happens
other celebrities this is how it happens
other celebrities this is how it happens everybody clicks on these things
everybody clicks on these things
everybody clicks on these things this is how they end up making money and
this is how they end up making money and
this is how they end up making money and it’s dangerous and what if it’s not
it’s dangerous and what if it’s not
it’s dangerous and what if it’s not actually about making money it’s really
actually about making money it’s really
actually about making money it’s really not harmful that you read a story about
not harmful that you read a story about
not harmful that you read a story about Justin Bieber moving to Kingston if
Justin Bieber moving to Kingston if
Justin Bieber moving to Kingston if Justin Bieber’s not actually moving to
Justin Bieber’s not actually moving to
Justin Bieber’s not actually moving to Kingston again it’s a time suck but
Kingston again it’s a time suck but
Kingston again it’s a time suck but doesn’t really matter but what if it’s
doesn’t really matter but what if it’s
doesn’t really matter but what if it’s about religion or it’s about ideology or
about religion or it’s about ideology or
about religion or it’s about ideology or it’s there to influence politics that’s
it’s there to influence politics that’s
it’s there to influence politics that’s the danger so my first piece of advice
the danger so my first piece of advice
the danger so my first piece of advice to you is that if you wish to avoid the
to you is that if you wish to avoid the
to you is that if you wish to avoid the purveyors of fake news who live in dark
purveyors of fake news who live in dark
purveyors of fake news who live in dark alleys stay out of the dark alleys trust
alleys stay out of the dark alleys trust
alleys stay out of the dark alleys trust and support traditional journalism which
and support traditional journalism which
and support traditional journalism which is devoted to research and fact-checking
is devoted to research and fact-checking
is devoted to research and fact-checking an in-depth investigation of issues the
an in-depth investigation of issues the
an in-depth investigation of issues the very journalism that is under attack
very journalism that is under attack
very journalism that is under attack right now it’s under attack because it
right now it’s under attack because it
right now it’s under attack because it doesn’t do everything you wanted it to
doesn’t do everything you wanted it to
doesn’t do everything you wanted it to do but it’s still there and you should
do but it’s still there and you should
do but it’s still there and you should actually try and rely on it you want a
actually try and rely on it you want a
actually try and rely on it you want a fact check and fact-checking is becoming
fact check and fact-checking is becoming
fact check and fact-checking is becoming easier and easier now because these
easier and easier now because these
easier and easier now because these fact-checking sites abound but how do
fact-checking sites abound but how do
fact-checking sites abound but how do you actually fight this kind of nonsense
you actually fight this kind of nonsense
you actually fight this kind of nonsense how do you fight the journalism that’s
how do you fight the journalism that’s
how do you fight the journalism that’s out there well you start by by
out there well you start by by
out there well you start by by supporting these journalistic
supporting these journalistic
supporting these journalistic organizations and you start by using
organizations and you start by using
organizations and you start by using these fact-checking sites if the New
these fact-checking sites if the New
these fact-checking sites if the New York Times and CNN tell you they’ve
York Times and CNN tell you they’ve
York Times and CNN tell you they’ve take checking deaths out very seriously
take checking deaths out very seriously
take checking deaths out very seriously and they both do it independently if
and they both do it independently if
and they both do it independently if they tell you George Michael’s dead
they tell you George Michael’s dead
they tell you George Michael’s dead George Michael is probably actually dead
George Michael is probably actually dead
George Michael is probably actually dead if Donald Trump says his inauguration
if Donald Trump says his inauguration
if Donald Trump says his inauguration crowds were bigger than Barack Obama’s
crowds were bigger than Barack Obama’s
crowds were bigger than Barack Obama’s inauguration crowds check the
inauguration crowds check the
inauguration crowds check the methodology that he’s citing and check
methodology that he’s citing and check
methodology that he’s citing and check the methodology of those who are saying
the methodology of those who are saying
the methodology of those who are saying otherwise it’s actually relatively easy
otherwise it’s actually relatively easy
otherwise it’s actually relatively easy to do sometimes it’s just your eyeballs
to do sometimes it’s just your eyeballs
to do sometimes it’s just your eyeballs that you need but the fact is there are
that you need but the fact is there are
that you need but the fact is there are fact-checking sites out there and
fact-checking sites out there and
fact-checking sites out there and remember that fake news purveyors count
remember that fake news purveyors count
remember that fake news purveyors count on the fact that you are abject ly lazy
on the fact that you are abject ly lazy
on the fact that you are abject ly lazy and you are much more likely to repost
and you are much more likely to repost
and you are much more likely to repost salacious news than to actually check
salacious news than to actually check
salacious news than to actually check the veracity of real news check it it’s
the veracity of real news check it it’s
the veracity of real news check it it’s not hard to do you can get out there and
not hard to do you can get out there and
not hard to do you can get out there and and and find out what’s going on I’m not
and and find out what’s going on I’m not
and and find out what’s going on I’m not saying that you have to trust everything
saying that you have to trust everything
saying that you have to trust everything that mainstream media tells you but I
that mainstream media tells you but I
that mainstream media tells you but I would give it more weight than I would
would give it more weight than I would
would give it more weight than I would give to an unverified source the other
give to an unverified source the other
give to an unverified source the other thing you should do is don’t spread fake
thing you should do is don’t spread fake
thing you should do is don’t spread fake news fake news grows exponentially
news fake news grows exponentially
news fake news grows exponentially because you share it either because it
because you share it either because it
because you share it either because it validates your beliefs or because you
validates your beliefs or because you
validates your beliefs or because you don’t know it’s fake news so check it
don’t know it’s fake news so check it
don’t know it’s fake news so check it don’t spread it hold those of your
don’t spread it hold those of your
don’t spread it hold those of your friends who do spread it to account make
friends who do spread it to account make
friends who do spread it to account make sure they don’t do that there’s some
sure they don’t do that there’s some
sure they don’t do that there’s some salacious fantastic stuff on the
salacious fantastic stuff on the
salacious fantastic stuff on the internet and as much as you’d like to
internet and as much as you’d like to
internet and as much as you’d like to believe it if it turns out not to be
believe it if it turns out not to be
believe it if it turns out not to be true it’s on you and in a world where
true it’s on you and in a world where
true it’s on you and in a world where your reputation is determined on social
your reputation is determined on social
your reputation is determined on social media in many cases if you become known
media in many cases if you become known
media in many cases if you become known as someone who like your crazy uncle who
as someone who like your crazy uncle who
as someone who like your crazy uncle who forwards these email strings that make
forwards these email strings that make
forwards these email strings that make no sense
no sense
no sense people will stop trusting you they just
people will stop trusting you they just
people will stop trusting you they just won’t trust the information it’s a it
won’t trust the information it’s a it
won’t trust the information it’s a it becomes the boy who cried wolf
becomes the boy who cried wolf
becomes the boy who cried wolf look journalism is a serious business
look journalism is a serious business
look journalism is a serious business you have to understand how to consume it
you have to understand how to consume it
you have to understand how to consume it you have to cross-reference it but you
you have to cross-reference it but you
you have to cross-reference it but you have to trust certain things everywhere
have to trust certain things everywhere
have to trust certain things everywhere I have worked has had a methodology for
I have worked has had a methodology for
I have worked has had a methodology for for checking otherwise uncorroborated
for checking otherwise uncorroborated
for checking otherwise uncorroborated information it varies from organization
information it varies from organization
information it varies from organization to organization but typically you need
to organization but typically you need
to organization but typically you need two independent sources who can tell you
two independent sources who can tell you
two independent sources who can tell you the same thing or at least one source
the same thing or at least one source
the same thing or at least one source that is very highly placed and if you
that is very highly placed and if you
that is very highly placed and if you don’t do that if you don’t do it that
don’t do that if you don’t do it that
don’t do that if you don’t do it that way you could get fired is the source
way you could get fired is the source
way you could get fired is the source that you’re reading as rigorous as that
that you’re reading as rigorous as that
that you’re reading as rigorous as that look journalism
look journalism
look journalism is getting better crowdsourcing is out
is getting better crowdsourcing is out
is getting better crowdsourcing is out there Facebook is using on member
there Facebook is using on member
there Facebook is using on member reporters using member reporting as well
reporters using member reporting as well
reporters using member reporting as well as algorithms to try and wake weed out
as algorithms to try and wake weed out
as algorithms to try and wake weed out fake news Wikipedia is getting better by
fake news Wikipedia is getting better by
fake news Wikipedia is getting better by the day and the hunger is out there for
the day and the hunger is out there for
the day and the hunger is out there for good quality journalism remember what
good quality journalism remember what
good quality journalism remember what journalism is meant to do it has two
journalism is meant to do it has two
journalism is meant to do it has two purposes the first one is to bear
purposes the first one is to bear
purposes the first one is to bear witness to simply be there to say that
witness to simply be there to say that
witness to simply be there to say that something is happening but the second
something is happening but the second
something is happening but the second one is more important it’s to hold power
one is more important it’s to hold power
one is more important it’s to hold power to account and together let’s not go
to account and together let’s not go
to account and together let’s not go down a road where we end up in a world
down a road where we end up in a world
down a road where we end up in a world where not only are we not speaking truth
where not only are we not speaking truth
where not only are we not speaking truth to power but we’re not even able to
to power but we’re not even able to
to power but we’re not even able to discern the truth thank you
discern the truth thank you
discern the truth thank you [Applause]
”
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