What are the causes of “fake news”? How can the general public identify it?

Hello, regarding "fake news," it's indeed a headache-inducing problem. I'll try to share my thoughts in plain language, hoping it can help you.

Why does this phenomenon emerge? The reasons are quite complex, but there are a few main ones:

1. For money, simply put, it's a traffic business. This is the most common reason. Think about it, we're in an attention economy now, and a sensational headline can generate huge click-through rates. More clicks mean more advertising revenue. So, many individuals or teams specifically fabricate exaggerated, false information to attract your clicks. They don't care whether the content is true or false; they only care about making money. It's like a street vendor: whether the food tastes good isn't important; what matters is loud shouting and a lively appearance to draw in customers.

2. To influence your thoughts, i.e., political or ideological motives. Some fake news is deliberately created by specific groups or individuals for political purposes. For example, to discredit an opponent, or to sway public support for or against a certain policy. By fabricating and spreading false information, they incite people's emotions (such as anger, fear) to influence public opinion and manipulate popular sentiment. This is especially common during election periods.

3. Purely for "mischief" or to create chaos. Some people create fake news not for money or specific political aims, but simply because they find it amusing, wanting to see how far a lie can spread, or just enjoying the spectacle. This motive might sound absurd, but it genuinely exists.

4. Problems within the news industry itself. Media competition is extremely fierce nowadays, with everyone chasing 'speed.' Sometimes, in the rush to be the first to break a story, some journalists or editors might not have enough time to repeatedly verify sources, leading to incorrect information being published as news. While this isn't intentional 'fabrication,' it objectively contributes to the spread of fake news.

So, as ordinary people, how can we sharpen our discernment? Actually, adopting a few small habits will suffice:

1. 'Check the source' – see where the information comes from. This is the most crucial step. When you see an article, don't rush to believe it; first, check who published it. Is it an unfamiliar public account, a website with a strange name, or a credible mainstream media outlet (like Xinhua News Agency, Reuters, BBC)? To draw an analogy, would you trust a professional doctor's advice more, or a roadside elder's 'secret family remedy'?

2. Don't fall victim to 'clickbait' – read the full text. Many fake news headlines are particularly sensational and absolute. But if you click in and read the full article, you might find that the content is completely different from the headline, or that there's no substantial evidence whatsoever. Therefore, develop the habit of reading the entire article before making a judgment.

3. Look for evidence – is there solid content in the article? A genuine news report typically clearly states the time, place, and people involved in an event, cites specific data, or interviews named experts. Fake news, however, often uses vague language, preferring phrases like 'according to experts' or 'an insider revealed,' but you have no idea who these experts or insiders are.

4. Reverse search images and information. Modern fake news often 'misattributes' images, using pictures from past events to fabricate a new story. You can save images from an article and use a search engine's 'reverse image search' function to see where the image first appeared and in what news context. For core information in the article, you can also copy a short snippet and search for it to see if other reliable media outlets have reported on it.

5. Maintain a healthy dose of skepticism. When you encounter a piece of news that feels 'too good/bad to be true,' or instantly triggers strong emotions like anger or excitement, take a moment to calm down. This is often fake news exploiting your emotions. Ask yourself: 'Is this really true? Could it be false?'

6. Pay attention to distinguishing between facts and opinions. 'Today's temperature is 30 degrees Celsius' is a fact. 'It's too hot today, how annoying' is an opinion. Many fake news articles package the author's subjective opinions as objective facts. We need to learn to differentiate between objective statements and subjective comments.

In summary, discerning fake news is like physical exercise – a skill that requires long-term persistence and practice. With more vigilance and a bit more critical thinking, we can navigate the ocean of information more safely.