ens.wiki

Low Barriers to Entry in Information Ecosystem (xy) is one of the key drivers of the The rise of online untruths.

The digital environment enables anyone to create and share content, including actors with malicious intent, such as foreign entities spreading propaganda or individuals seeking financial gain through clickbait.

Low barriers to entry contribute significantly to the rapid spread of online untruths by enabling virtually anyone to create, publish, and disseminate content without needing significant resources, oversight, or expertise.

Here’s how this dynamic fuels the proliferation of false or misleading information:

1. Ease of Content Creation
   • Minimal Technical Skills Required: Modern platforms and tools make it easy to produce and share content, including blogs, videos, social media posts, and even fake news websites.
   • Access to Free Tools: Tools for creating professional-looking graphics, videos, and websites are widely available at little or no cost, allowing bad actors to mimic the appearance of credible sources.
2. Lack of Gatekeeping
   • No Editorial Oversight: Unlike traditional media, where content is reviewed by editors or fact-checkers, digital platforms often lack robust systems for vetting information before publication.
   • Direct Access to Audiences: Anyone can publish directly to global audiences via social media, blogs, or forums without needing institutional backing or scrutiny.
3. Anonymity and Pseudonymity
   • Shielding Identities: Online anonymity allows individuals to spread falsehoods without personal accountability, encouraging malicious behavior.
   • Fake Accounts and Bots: Automated accounts can amplify misinformation at scale, making it appear more credible due to the sheer volume of shares or likes.
4. Rapid Dissemination via Social Media
   • Instant Global Reach: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok enable content to go viral within hours, bypassing traditional information verification processes.
   • Sharing Mechanisms: Features like retweets, reposts, and shares accelerate the spread of misinformation, especially when users do not critically evaluate the content.
5. Profitability of Misinformation
   • Monetization Opportunities: Individuals and groups exploit low barriers to entry to create sensational content that attracts clicks and ad revenue. For example, clickbait articles with false claims often generate significant traffic and profit.
   • Exploitation of Trust: Malicious actors, including foreign entities, use these platforms to spread disinformation for political or financial gain, leveraging the low cost of entry to deploy widespread campaigns.
6. Lack of Verification by Audiences
   • Volume Overload: The overwhelming quantity of online content makes it difficult for users to distinguish between credible and false information.
   • Trust in Appearances: Many users mistake polished content or professional-looking websites for credibility, even when no reputable source backs the information.

A Digitally Literate Person can avoid the trap of low barriers to entry by being discerning about the sources they trust, critically evaluating content, and promoting responsible behavior. Here’s how they navigate this challenge:

1. Assess Source Credibility: Low barriers to entry allow anyone to create and share content online, including bad actors. A digitally literate person:
   • Checks the Creator’s Credentials: They investigate the author, website, or platform to ensure the source is credible and authoritative. For example, they favor reputable organizations over anonymous blogs or unverifiable social media accounts.
   • Evaluates Transparency: They look for signs of accountability, such as a clear “About” section, author bios, and citations of evidence.
2. Avoid Falling for Appearances: Because online tools make it easy to create professional-looking content, a digitally literate person:
   • Analyzes Presentation vs. Substance: They know that slick graphics or polished videos don’t guarantee accuracy.
   • Verifies Original Sources: They trace information back to primary sources, such as government publications, academic research, or direct quotes, to confirm authenticity.
3. Question Motivations and Intent: With low barriers to entry, content may be created to manipulate, mislead, or profit. A digitally literate person:
   • Asks "Why Was This Created?": They consider whether the content was made to inform, entertain, sell, or provoke. For example, clickbait headlines are often designed to drive traffic rather than provide accurate information.
   • Identifies Conflicts of Interest: They assess whether the creator has financial, political, or ideological motives that could bias the content.
4. Detect Manipulative Tactics: Bad actors exploit the ease of content creation to deceive audiences. A digitally literate person recognizes tactics like:
   • Deepfakes and Edited Media: They use tools like reverse image searches and video analysis software to verify the authenticity of visuals.
   • Emotionally Charged Language: They’re wary of content designed to provoke strong emotions, such as anger or fear, as this is often used to bypass critical thinking.
5. Use Trusted Intermediaries: Digitally literate individuals rely on intermediaries that filter and verify information:
   • Follow Verified Accounts: They prefer content from verified news outlets, academics, and fact-checking organizations.
   • Use Fact-Checking Tools: They turn to resources like Snopes, PolitiFact, or government fact-checking sites to assess the reliability of claims.
6. Engage in Responsible Sharing: To avoid amplifying low-quality or false content, they:
   • Pause Before Sharing: They take time to verify the accuracy and credibility of content before passing it on.
   • Share Responsibly: When sharing information, they include context, links to credible sources, or corrections if necessary.
7. Advocate for Better Platforms: Recognizing the systemic issues that low barriers to entry create, a digitally literate person supports efforts to improve the digital ecosystem:
   • Demand Platform Accountability: They call for better content moderation, transparency, and algorithms that prioritize credible information.
   • Support Ethical Content Creation: They promote creators and platforms that prioritize quality and integrity over sensationalism.

Actions to address the role of low barriers to entry in spreading untruths requires collaboration among platforms, policymakers, users, and #gpii749 - Fact-checking organizations as called for in UN Global Principles for Information Integrity - Next Steps:

• Platform Accountability: Social media companies must adopt stricter content moderation and transparency about sources.
• Public Education: Promoting digital literacy can help individuals critically evaluate online content.
• Verification Tools: Fact-checking resources and browser extensions can assist users in identifying false information.