Ever since the election season started going around, every other news headline slowly spreads into a juicy political drama, election candidates become everyone’s best friends, and your social media feed turns into a war of opinions, memes, and a lot of fake news. But we are not just talking about some old crusty headlines; we are talking about some highly malicious and, unfortunately, some deeply-rooted fake news doing the rounds like
deepfakes in the Presidential Election.
So, what exactly are deepfakes? Some say deepfakes are the monsters of the digital age, but to answer in clear terms, deepfakes are actually hyper-realistic videos of people created using advanced technology while saying or doing things they never actually did. Yes, we know all of this sounds like a plot for a sci-fi movie, but unfortunately, these things have become pretty common nowadays.
How Fake News Impacts Elections
In today’s digital age, where the fine line between reality and fabricated lies is ever-blurring, deepfakes resonate as a new burning factor in spreading misinformation online. Picture this - you are scrolling through Facebook and Twitter and come across a video of a political candidate making outrageous statements. The video looks 100% legit, with the candidate’s mouth movements matching the audio perfectly. For a split second, you believe the video and start cursing the political figure, but guess what? That’s not the reality. And now imagine, just like you, there are millions of other people watching these videos at the same time as you and not having the time to fact-check the source of such deepfakes.
In 2010, we saw the first whispers of these deepfakes doing rounds on the Internet, but as technology continued to advance, the potential for this digital chaos grew exponentially. Can you imagine the impact these last-minute deepfake videos have on candidates? These videos generally show a candidate favoring policies they would oppose or making offensive comments that don’t sit well with people. They are generally leaked a few days before the election polls, making the damage irreversible.
How to Spot Fake Political News
So, how do you actually spot these fake videos when they are super-realistic? While there’s no foolproof way to differentiate the reality from the lies, there are some tried and tested ways to help you avoid getting duped by fake news and deepfakes during the elections.
Check the Source
Well, obviously, this one seems like a no-brainer, but it really is shocking to see how many people still fall for fake news coming from some dubious sources. So, the next time you come across any videos, take a second to look at their sources and cross-check the sources sharing such videos. Is it a reputable platform, an established media house, or just some random blog trying to gain some engagement? If it's the latter, proceed cautiously and check if reliable sources also post the same news.
Examine the Content
Fake
news articles generally have some telltale signs that give it away. So, when you come across such blog posts, look for any sensational headlines, extremely emotional language, or statements that are too outrageous and exaggerated to be true. And if the article is full of exclamation marks or written in all caps, that’s a big red flag. Real journalism is all about facts and some theatrics.
Reverse Image Search
Deepfakes are often created by manipulating the original videos and images. So, if you are suspicious of any video or images in particular, try doing a reverse image search to see where the edits originated from. Doing this can help you determine if the footage actually holds some truth or not.
Look for Expert Analysis
With the rising concerns over deepfakes in today’s day and age, expert analysis has become more important than ever. You can always rely on multiple fact-checking organizations like Snopes, PolitiFact, and
FactCheck.org. These organizations dig deep into political stories and videos while providing context for these deepfakes.
Trust Your Gut
Sometimes, your gut is the best defense against such fake news and videos. If any video or
news update feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Take a moment to question what you are seeing and if it actually is the truth. Better be safe than misled.
Educate Yourself
Understanding how these deepfakes work can also help you spot them easily. For example, these deepfakes often struggle with small details like blinking or a person's mouth movements. So, familiarize yourself with these small technical hints; you can spot a fake piece from the real one.
Conclusion
As we head into the 2024 elections, the rise of deepfakes and fake news marks a significant challenge to the democratic process. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with so many news updates doing the rounds, but by staying informed, questioning what you come across, and relying on credible sources, you can ensure that your vote is based on the truth, not lies.
