What is it to be prevalent? Prevalent is too widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
Fake news has been prevalent in recent times because it is so easy to just spread false information with all the technology we have in today’s age.
- Gif Credit: Giphy
In 2018 there were 50 Fake News stories from Facebook that were debunked.
According to the Buzzfeed article, A BuzzFeed News analysis found that 50 of the biggest fake stories of 2018 generated roughly 22 million total shares, reactions, and comments on Facebook. Tessa Lyons, a Facebook product manager conducted research and released this statement.
“ Reached for comment this year, Lyons cited recent academic research that found the overall volume of false news is being reduced on Facebook, and also said recent product updates would continue to apply pressure on publishers of false news.”
People now more than ever are so quick to believe everything that they see and hear without knowing all the details that are behind the information.
When it comes to fake news what are the motives behind promoting false information?
Fake news can be the cause of dangers in the media and can also ruin people’s reputation.
In my opinion, a person should be innocent till proven guilty not the other way around and fake news can be the cause of that.
For example, Kobe Bryant’s recent death has caused waves in the media.
The only information that they were able to give was that he had died via crash. News outlets than decided to keep updating the media with what was incorrect information.
The first official news that broke was that Kobe Bryant had passed away with his daughter but other sources were saying that he had died with all of his daughters. Another statement that was let out was that five people died on the plane crash when it was really eight people. 
- Photo Credit: The Inquisitr
The rise of fake news worries me has a journalist because it can affect anybody.
For example, if I were to be told by the higher authority to run a story on something that was to not have little to no background information at all I would be scared to run a story on something that is possibly fake.
As a journalist, I know for a fact that I would highly try to avoid fake news has possible. If I were to get assigned a story I feel like part of my job as a journalist is to investigate whether there are facts behind the story and if there aren’t any facts than I am going to have to pass on the story.
What readers should do to stay away from fake news is to make sure that they are getting their news from a legit source. The readers should always wait for legitimate news sources to get their news.
Meaning instead of getting their news off of social media, they should get it their news off places like TMZ or CNN.
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