Disinformation Landscape - Disinformation is not new, but technological advancements have amplified its spread [4] - False information spreads seven times faster and is 70% more likely to be shared than truthful information [6] - 95% of the population has shared fake news at some point, with 7% doing so for economic or propagandistic reasons, and 3-5% to harm someone [6] - Social media algorithms contribute to incidental information exposure, tailoring content based on user preferences [5] - Over half of young people struggle to differentiate between fake and real news, with 70% relying solely on social media for information [10] Impact on Journalism - Traditional media faces a crisis with shrinking newsrooms and fewer resources for quality journalism [11][12] - Media outlets increasingly rely on public administrations for funding, potentially compromising their role as government watchdogs [13][14] Combating Disinformation - Critical thinking is essential; verify information from multiple sources before sharing [21][28] - Evaluate the source of information, including the journalist, media outlet, and potential biases [16] - Be wary of influencers and content creators who are not journalists, as they may lack journalistic rigor [18] - Recognize that virality does not equate to credibility [17] - Disinformation polarizes society, divides, and turns individuals into unpaid armies for powerful groups and political parties [27]