We’ve all been there: scrolling through social media, landing on a post that’s clearly spreading dangerous misinformation, and feeling that gut reaction to dive into the comments to set the record straight. But does calling out fake news actually work? A recent study from the Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review suggests that while our intentions are noble, the impact of these “bottom-up” corrections is surprisingly limited. Researchers surveyed 3,000 people across Brazil, India, and the United Kingdom, specifically looking at how users responded to debunked claims about COVID-19. The findings indicate that if someone is already deep into a belief,…

In the digital age, the speed at which information travels is both a blessing and a curse. As we head into critical political cycles, the arrival of sophisticated artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for bad actors to manipulate public opinion through deepfakes, automated bots, and algorithmic propaganda. Recognizing this, the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has stepped up to the plate by launching “Semak Berita,” a dedicated initiative aimed at curbing the tide of AI-driven misinformation during the Johor elections. It represents a vital pivot for the media industry: moving from reactive fact-checking to a proactive, technologically savvy…