Get It: How Disinformation is Dangerous for our Democracy

We've all heard a lot about disinformation... but what is it, and why do we need to fight against it?
Watch our latest explainer, and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Support GetUp! Subscribe here: bit.ly/1rVCqWw

[@beesplaining1882]

Misinformation/disinformation are problems in democracies BUT Censorship is not the best solution. (In case that's where you're going on this!) Central control over free speech and the free press is the beginning of the end of democracy. Education of the public is the best course of action, like this video!

[@topsi4]

I'd like to see Truth in Media and Truth in Politics laws, just as much. There must be accountability and it can't be Facebook in charge of dishing it out. Without accountability, we'll never stop the flow of BS from Dutton, Cash, Ley, et al.

[@melvinp1324]

you have to understand all govts have been corrupted ! who would of thought a lockdown for a psy op !! and then people even take a govt injection !! astounding how Thick people are

[@FranksHairSalon]

I love your idea. We need strong laws that punish companies severely for lying to their viewers. Murdoch has to pay US$787.5 MILLION for lying to his viewers. We have a starting point to argue a case from, if the facts and the truth are used by both people. How can we argue with someone, on a point, if they believe a lie they have been told by the media. (In particular, the Murdoch media.) The argument is moot because it's starting from a false narrative by one side.

[@user-ey4sf2kc2t]

I agree its a problem, but if you introduce censorship, we are traveling a much MORE dangerous road of shutting down free speech, this would make it easy for organisations to quiten the voice of whistleblowers who have a hard enough time as it is. Also I think discussion is healthy, even if you disagree

[@pinecone1200]

So important to find the means of preventing disinformation polluting our collective ability to agree on basic facts,

[@dianewalter2028]

11.10 pm Sydney Very interesting &much of it new to me. But, how do I know which information to believe?

[@FranksHairSalon]

Question EVERYTHING that is shown on the Murdoch media. Sky or Fox. They spread DISinformation like it's fresh air. The ABC is THE most honest, neutral channel in the country. They have a mandate to be non biased in either direction.

[@creeib]

I do my best 😢

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Spreading misinformation isn't the problem, it's the alarming lack of media literacy that allows these misinformation to propagate in people's minds without the necessary tools for dealing with the misinformation being taken with a grain of salt.

[@FranksHairSalon]

@@haruhisuzumiya6650 I think it's the lack of critical thinking by a lot of people, especially the gullible people that are SO easily influenced by others.

[@lindapratt119]

yes well said @@haruhisuzumiya6650

[@siyaindagulag.]

Umm....exactly how does one harm a vacseen ? and what happened to my bro Mal ? hmm?

[@doffy2192]

Getup? More like getdown and giveup

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Is it pushed by Russian troll farms?

[@fellowcitizen]

Even if that were true, which it isn't, it would be a "drop in the ocean" compared with the deluge of disinformation driven by Wall Street and the US Govt via the Money Media and imperial agencies like ASPI.

[@melvinp1324]

just western media as the West are Thick as Fxxx

[@FranksHairSalon]

True. But not just the Russians. The Murdoch media as well. Particularly Sky and Fox.

[@user-rv4ku7ub8s]

You are part of it. 💯🤥