Social Media’s Authenticity Crisis Worsened by AI: Trust in News Declines
The authenticity crisis on social media platforms has reached alarming levels, exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). False and misleading information is rampant, making it increasingly difficult to discern what is truly happening in the world. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is a prime example of how social media’s authenticity crisis is deepening societal and political divisions.
The proliferation of false or misleading posts has led people to seek out sources that align with their own beliefs, further polarizing society. The problem extends beyond Twitter, formerly known as X, which has relaxed its content moderation policies. The recent advancements in AI technology, capable of generating vast amounts of content, are compounding the issue.
The crisis of authenticity extends beyond social media and has affected trust in traditional news outlets as well. Mainstream news organizations are frequently accused of bias, serving state, corporate, or political interests. This erosion of trust has given rise to alternative sites online, many of which cater to specific viewpoints. Algorithms prioritize sensational or emotional content over balanced and nuanced reporting, exacerbating the problem.
Nora Benavidez, senior counsel for Free Press, an advocacy organization, acknowledges the distortion of the information ecosystem. A survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that people under 30 trust social media nearly as much as they trust national news media, with roughly half expressing little trust in either. Trust in traditional news organizations, although higher overall, has been declining steadily since 2016.
Social media was once hailed as a powerful tool for democratizing news and information. During the 2009 demonstrations in Iran, social media played a pivotal role in challenging the country’s authoritarian regime by enabling protesters to share texts, photos, and videos. However, in recent years, social media platforms have done more to confuse than to illuminate.
In times of war, distinguishing fact from fiction or propaganda becomes increasingly challenging. Both sides in any conflict seek to control information flow, presenting their own versions of events. False or misleading videos now go viral faster than fact-checkers can debunk them or platforms can remove them. Often, the problem lies in the details, such as the dissemination of unverified reports that exacerbate tensions.
Hamas, in particular, has adeptly exploited social media to promote its cause, using platforms like Telegram to circulate celebratory and graphic images. This highly digitized world has become an information battleground, with both sides vying to establish their narratives. Old images are recycled to serve new purposes, and authentic images are disputed as fakes.
Reliable news organizations used to play a vital role as curators, verifying and contextualizing information. However, some have questioned their reliability as gatekeepers. Elon Musk, owner of X, has publicly recommended trusting the platform more than mainstream media, while others argue that the platforms have become less relevant for accessing reliable information during major events.
False or misleading content is not limited to a single platform. European regulators have warned X, TikTok, and Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) about the prevalence of such content related to the conflict. X, in particular, has faced intense criticism and was recently subject to an inquiry by European regulators.
Imran Ahmed, head of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, suggests that social media platforms are currently experiencing an inflection point due to the flood of disinformation during the Israeli conflict. He advises against trusting social media for information, stating that it is essential to seek reliable sources instead.
Overall, the authenticity crisis plaguing social media platforms has eroded trust in news sources, both traditional and social media. With the rise of AI exacerbating the problem, it is crucial for individuals to seek out reliable sources of information to avoid falling victim to false or misleading content online.
