expertise

Tuesday November 7, 2023

The rise of anonymous commentators on social media platforms spreading misinformation and disinformation poses a significant threat, emphasizing the need for individuals to exercise caution, critical thinking, and news literacy skills to combat deception.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 7, 2023

Opinion: Beware the Deceptive Nature of Anonymous Social Media Commentators

June 26, 2019

In today’s digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, it has become increasingly important to exercise caution and critical thinking when consuming content on social media platforms. While these platforms have undoubtedly revolutionized the way we connect and share information, they have also become breeding grounds for misinformation and deception. Anonymous commentators posing as experts can easily manipulate narratives, leading unsuspecting individuals down a dangerous path of false beliefs and harmful ideologies.

The rise of misinformation and disinformation on social media is a pressing concern that we must address. Misinformation, defined as the act of giving wrong information or the wrong information itself, can distort facts and mislead individuals. It may start innocently, like a game of telephone, with once-true statements being scrambled and taken out of context. However, misinformation can quickly escalate into something more sinister. When coupled with disinformation, which is intentionally spread false information, it can radicalize individuals or trick them into believing harmful mistruths about various subjects, from medicine to politics.

Analysis: Content creators surge past legacy media as news hits a tipping point  

October 15, 2020

The psychological phenomenon known as the “misinformation effect” further highlights the danger of misinformation. It refers to the retroactive alteration of a person’s memory by false information learned after the fact. This rewiring of memory can not only distort historical events but also implant entirely new memories. Even the most intelligent and educated individuals with great memories can fall victim to misinformation, particularly when it aligns with their existing biases.

Social media platforms have become a fertile ground for the spread of misinformation. The ability to share information quickly and to a wide audience makes it an ideal medium for manipulative individuals to disseminate false narratives. In recent years, platforms like Facebook and Twitter have faced scrutiny for their role in allowing misinformation to spread rapidly, particularly during events like elections and the COVID-19 pandemic. Echo chambers and confirmation bias further exacerbate the problem, as individuals are sorted into communities that reinforce their existing beliefs, distancing them further from the truth.

To combat the spread of misinformation, it is crucial to develop news literacy skills. News literacy refers to the ability to determine the credibility of news and other information and to recognize the standards of fact-based journalism. It involves critically evaluating the source, author, and reporting standards to determine the reliability of the information. Asking questions like “What do I know?”, “What do I need to know?”, “How do I know what I know?”, and “Is there any other way to look at that?” can help individuals navigate the complex web of information and identify potential misinformation.

Student unions marching for Palestine may focus on raising awareness about Palestinian suffering, but it's important to have respectful dialogue considering diverse perspectives and experiences in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

November 1, 2023

Homeland security experts have expressed concern about the impact of online misinformation on extremist ideologies in the United States. The war between Israel and Hamas has heightened tensions, leading to an increase in hateful rhetoric and the spread of extremist viewpoints online. Online communities that espouse extremist beliefs, often leaderless and decentralized, have contributed to the rise of violence and terrorism. Identifying lone actors who commit acts of violence misrepresents the broader online communities that fuel their extremist ideologies.

Analysis: How to fix the internet

November 12, 2022

The responsibility to combat misinformation lies not only with individuals but also with social media platforms. Big tech companies must take proactive measures to limit the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The European Commission’s request for information from social media giants like Meta (formerly Facebook), TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) regarding their handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas war is an important step towards holding these platforms accountable. Transparency, fact-checking, and robust moderation practices are essential to ensure the safety and accuracy of information shared on these platforms.

The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation on social media is a significant concern in today’s society. Anonymous commentators posing as experts can easily deceive and manipulate unsuspecting individuals. It is crucial for active social media members to exercise caution, think critically, and develop news literacy skills to navigate the complex landscape of information. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from falling prey to false narratives and contribute to a more informed and responsible online community. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

 

Thursday November 12, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 12, 2020

Doug Ford downloads hardest pandemic decision-making

Being a medical officer of health in an Ontario town or city has always been a big, challenging job. Being the MOH during a pandemic like this one is exponentially harder. Add in being the default decision-maker about what businesses can stay open and which must close, and you’ve got a job not for the faint of heart.

October 28, 2020

That is where Ontario’s medical officers find themselves today, with the provincial government apparently opting for a minimalist approach on pandemic policy at the very time when COVID-19 is spreading dramatically. At this rate, it will soon be out of control. It may already be.

On Wednesday, for the fourth time in five days, Ontario set a record reporting 1,426 new cases. The seven-day average stands at 1,217, the highest it has been since the pandemic began. Another unfortunate record: There are 10,361 active cases of COVID-19 in Ontario. And 92 long-term-care facilities are dealing with outbreaks, with that number expected to grow. Hospitalization rates remain relatively low, but if the current growth rate continues that is likely to change.

All this, even as Ontario labs processed 36,700 test samples, reporting a test positivity rate of 5.1 per cent. Health experts say a positivity rate of 3.0 indicates spread is at the tipping point toward exponential growth.

September 18, 2020

Why the provincial government chose this time to toss out the old pandemic control regime and adopt one that raises the bar on when provincially mandated control measures will be implemented is anyone’s guess. But from all appearances, the Ford government is putting keeping businesses open at the top of its priority list, even when doing so is not in the best interest of pandemic control.

When questioned about all this, Premier Doug Ford was quick point out that local public health authorities always have the option of imposing measures over and above the provincial guidelines. 

August 27, 2020

That stance puts municipal governments and their public health officers between a rock and a hard place. If you don’t believe that, ask local political and health officials in Peel Region and in Toronto. Both have implemented local lockdown measures because provincial measures were deemed insufficient under current circumstances.

Indoor dining and gyms, for example, are locked down for 28 days in both those jurisdictions. But now, instead of suffering businesspeople being angry with the province, they’re angry with local health officials and their municipal partners. 

May 16, 2020

In a way, this could be referred to as a new kind of provincial downloading. And like other forms of downloading, they serve the provincial government with little regard for the impact on municipalities and local health officials.

There is something to be said for the targeted approach to pandemic control. It is better overall than a one-size-fits all provincial solution, though it’s not perfect. But it does allow the provincial government to deflect responsibility for harsher lockdown measures.

Ontario is not in a good place in terms of controlling the spread of COVID-19. And that’s the cruelest paradox of all. Too many of us are sick and tired of pandemic restrictions on personal freedoms and commerce, so we slack off here and there, and the virus is ready and waiting for the opportunity. Now we are in the thick of the second wave, which is in many ways worse than the first. If we remain on the current trajectory, the most likely outcome is another hard lockdown like we experienced early in the pandemic. The Ford government won’t be able to dodge that bullet, and neither will the rest of us. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)