Ethical Discussion of Pressing False News

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False News- Who to Blame?

“False news” is an issue that has been discussed for ages. Despite of the regulations that aim to prevent dissemination of false information around the world, “fake news” has been increased by a high rate, mostly due to the advent of internet and developments in social media (Barthel, Mitchell and Holcomb, 2016). Since accessing data and publishing news in various platforms have become much easier, dissemination of news has been accelerated. However, it also leads to misinterpretation of information and dissemination of fake news. Therefore, companies that act as platforms for the dissemination of news and news media are responsible for dissemination of fake news and should take actions in order to prevent it since false news affect the reputation of both parties- the company (platform) and the subject and they harm people’s lives and health. Besides, those companies are the only party that has control over publication of news.

There are two main reasons for false information: defamation and false light (FindLaw, 2017). Defamation is when the profit-oriented claimant (subject) is targeted by its competitors through false information creation to denigrate it. The platforms are responsible for the reliability and accuracy of the source and the content of information to prevent defamation. From legal perspective, Defamation Act issued by the Parliament of the United Kingdom holds parties responsible for defamation acts to ensure protection of reputation and freedom of expression. (BBC, 2017) Publication of such news damages both the platforms’ and subjects’ reputation. When the false information is caused by defamation, the platform is labelled as biased or scandal sheet and it loses its credibility after being involved in several false news scandals, despite the fact that sanctions apply in accordance with Defamation Act. On the other hand, defamation has several negative impacts on the subject, such as reputational damage, suspicion and profit loss. Since it harms the subject with a serious profit loss, this action falls under Defamation Act. On April 2016, false news claiming a quote of CEO of Pepsi&Co about Donald Trump was published. Although she has never said the quote claimed, Trump supporters immediately protested the company and it affected company’s sales in US and stock prices notably. (Alva, 2017) In a contrary situation, if the so-called false information proves to be true, platform should be ready to defend itself with reliable evidences if the platform is accused with defamation. In either case, the platform which presses such information should verify it before pressing it and become ready to defend itself in the case of being charged with defamation.

News platform and company reputations are not the only ones which are affected by the press of false or misleading news. It also could have a huge impact of people’s lives and health. By advertising of such products that is not yet approved by a credible institution or publishing some news that may affect the psychology or physical health of people, news platform may give damage to public due to misleading information. This is called false light. (FindLaw, 2017) Moreover, even though they correct the information afterwards, they may not reach to the people who are exposed with the first one. Besides, the damage given by the misleading information may not be recovered and can cause serious damages on people’s lives. So, before publishing such news, they should be crosschecked by the editors of the platforms that are responsible from the dissemination of news.