The Fabrication of Truth in the Age of Fake News

The Fabrication of Truth in the Age of Fake News" is a book that puts its finger directly on the wound of the modern media landscape. The author unfolds a precise analysis of the mechanisms and structures that contribute to the creation and spread of fake news. He takes the reader on a journey through the history of news dissemination and shows how the problems of today are in some ways expressions of older, recurring challenges in dealing with information and disinformation. He describes how fake news is less a product of digitalisation than a symptom of a deeper societal crisis that raises questions about trust, identity and the role of media in a democracy. Particularly interesting is his approach to the role emotions play in the creation and spread of Fake News. Emotionally charged news is more likely to be shared and thus spread faster. These emotional reactions create a kind of "viral effect" in social media, which contributes to the fact that Fake News is often more far-reaching than factual reporting. The book also addresses ways to combat Fake News. Rather than offering easy solutions or quick fixes, the author emphasises the need for social debate and reflective media education. Overall, "The Fabrication of Truth in the Age of Fake News" offers an analysis of one of the most pressing problems of our time.