Information
9 Examples and Case-Studies in Information
Example 1- TikTok and Health Information
One of the biggest examples of information disorder that comes to mind is the spread of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation about health topics on TikTok. With the ability to share personal stories that can reach millions of people, many started sharing their uncommon or undiagnosed health stories. While information like this can be incredibly helpful for individuals struggling with similar issues, or generally raise awareness of certain health issues, this can (and has) easily spread into an information disorder conundrum.
Disinformation has been seen through people posting they have certain health problems and telling others they do too, when they do not have this struggle (and they are aware that they don’t either). Many creators have engaged in this for view or like count purposes, for attention, to promote products through brand deals or to promote their own products.
Misinformation has been seen when people post about having a health condition that they believe they have, and creating content surrounding this condition, but haven’t received any diagnosis/ support by a health professional. This can happen when individuals are diagnosed but do not properly understand their diagnosis and spread information that they think is true (but they think is not) about this diagnosis.
Malinformation has been seen when creators genuinely do post correct information about a health condition or diagnosis, but others take this information and post their own content in correlation with it, creating untrue information in their videos. Malinformation can also be seen through people posting about a lifestyle or health routine they follow that works for them, but then the contents of their post become ‘trends’ instead and it slowly warps into something different through the content produced in response/ relation to the original lifestyle/ health routine.
Due to the overwhelming amount of information disorder engaged content on TikTok, the company created a new guideline/ policy to combat this situation. Under their “Our Commitments” tab on the website, they have an entire section called “Combating Harmful Information”. TikTok has actually outlined the difference between misinformation and disinformation under this section, to help users become educated on the types of untrue information they may encounter. TikTok outlines their Global Fact-Checking Program, what it does and how it combats both disinformation and misinformation. You can find the webpage where they outline their fact-checking program, misinformation and disinformation and their goals to maintain a safer online environment on their platform through this link. https://www.tiktok.com/transparency/en-us/combating-misinformation/ [BC]
Example 2 – India’s state government initiative to combat misinformation
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/fact-check-or-mate-states-embrace-fact-check-units-amid-freedom-of-speech-concerns/articleshow/105154378.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
This article highlights the efforts of different state governments in India, including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to combat misinformation by establishing Fact-Check Units (FCUs). The three ways described by (Haider & Sundin, 2022) – content creation and dissemination of validated knowledge, platform self-regulation, and fact-checking – can be identified within the context of these FCUs.
The production of content and the dissemination of carefully vetted information:
In relation to the Framework, the establishment of FCUs is a manifestation of the commitment to the production and dissemination of content that has been verified.
A proactive strategy to combating disinformation is demonstrated by the fact-verification team and analytics squad of the state of Karnataka. Through public awareness campaigns and the utilization of cutting-edge technology such as data analytics and artificial intelligence, the state places a strong emphasis on the significance of providing content that can be trusted.
Regulatory Self-Government of Platforms:
The state places a strong emphasis on the fact-checking process, with the goal of minimizing the influence of the government thereby highlighting the need of independence.
An oversight committee, a single point of contact (SPOC), and nodal officials are all proposed structures with the intention of ensuring that fact-checking is conducted in an objective manner. By placing an emphasis on independence, issues regarding the possibility of prejudice and political interference are addressed.
Checking the Facts:
Fact-checking units are actively involved in the process of validating information, which is in line with the fact-checking methodology.
In the context of this application, the FCUs of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu actively participate in fact-checking in order to discover and combat misinformation. On the other hand, problems regarding independence are highlighted, which highlights the significance of verification that is done without bias.
The state initiative is in line with the framework’s emphasis on the production of content, the self-regulation of platforms, and the verification of facts. In order to demonstrate their dedication to creating reliable information and combating misinformation, the fact-verification units demonstrate its devotion. Both the maintenance of independence and the addressing of concerns regarding political interference are the goals of the suggested supervision systems. In spite of the fact that these initiatives are in line with the tactics that were mentioned earlier, it is of the utmost importance to acknowledge the difficulties and objections that have been expressed, particularly with regard to the independence of fact-checking units and the possibility of bias. In order to effectively address the information problem, it is necessary to strike a delicate balance between the requirements for having information that has been validated and the worries about political influence. [H.P]
Information Overload as a Student
There are multiple definitions and interpretations of information overload, but Peter Gordan Roetzel (2019) suggests:
“Information overload is a state in which a decision maker faces a set of information (i.e., an information load with informational characteristics such as an amount, a complexity, and a level of redundancy, contradiction and inconsistency) comprising the accumulation of individual informational cues of differing size and complexity that inhibit the decision maker’s ability to optimally determine the best possible decision.” (Roetzel, 2019).
Taking this definition into account, information overload can be seen in a university student preparing for exams. A student preparing for exams have access to an abundant amount of resources and information. This includes textbooks, notes, academic articles, and exam study guides.
This can lead to fragmented attention where the student is trying to study so many things and is not able to focus on one thing to study. Information redundancy is also a possibility where the student is wasting time studying the same information. There are so many sources of information but a lot of them may use the same material and content will overlap. Additionally, all of this can lead to cognitive overload. So much information is being attempted to be retained which leads to mental fatigue. Information overload in general leads to this. There is too much information and it is too challenging get the information that is needed and to sort through it all. [B.R].
References:
Fact: Check or mate? states embrace fact check units amid freedom of speech concerns. The Economic Times. (n.d.). https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/fact-check-or-mate-states-embrace-fact-check-units-amid-freedom-of-speech-concerns/articleshow/105154378.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Haider, Jutta, and Sundin, Olof. (2022). “Responsibility and the crisis of information” in Paradoxes of media and information literacy: the crisis of information (pp. 25-50).
Roetzel, P. G. (2019). Information overload in the information age: a review of the literature from business administration, business psychology, and related disciplines with a bibliometric approach and framework development. Business Research, 12(2), 479–522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40685-018-0069-z
Feedback/Errata