"News is seen on SNS, not newspapers... Of course, I don't trust it"

85% of Global Citizens "Concerned About Online Fake News"
"SNS Platforms Must Be Vigilant During Election Periods"

At least 85% of citizens worldwide ahead of next year's elections are concerned about the impact of online fake news on politics and other areas.

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 7th (local time), the polling agency Ipsos conducted a survey commissioned by UNESCO from August 22 to September 25, targeting 8,000 people from 16 countries including the United States, Mexico, and India, and obtained these results. These 16 countries will hold presidential or general elections next year.

Among the 8,000 respondents, more than 85% answered that they are worried about the influence of online fake news. In particular, 87% of respondents said, "False information has already had a significant impact on our country's politics and is expected to affect the election results next year."

"We access news through SNS, but do not trust it"

[Image source=Pixabay]

Also, 88% responded that "the government and regulatory authorities should take action to regulate social networking services (SNS) and quickly resolve the fake news problem."

In fact, 56% of internet users among the respondents said they access news through SNS rather than traditional media such as TV, but only 50% said they trust news from SNS. This is lower than the percentages who said they trust TV news, radio, and media websites, which were 66%, 63%, and 57%, respectively.

68% of respondents also pointed to SNS as the place where fake news spreads the most online. This far exceeds the 38% who cited messaging apps and the 20% who cited media websites.

"Strengthen vigilance against fake news during election campaigns"

Most respondents also urged strengthening vigilance against fake news during election campaigns. 89% of those surveyed said direct intervention by the government and regulatory authorities is necessary in this regard, and 91% said SNS platforms should be alert during this period.

Mathieu Gallard of Ipsos pointed out, "People across all countries and social categories, including age, education, and place of residence, are seriously concerned about false information," adding, "Especially during election periods, people worry about fake news and want everyone to fight against it."

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay also warned at a press conference that online false information "poses a serious threat to social cohesion, peace, and stability."

President Yoon: "Fake news can shrink freedom and threaten elections"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2023 National Members' Convention of the Barun Living Movement held at Daegu EXCO on the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News Agency·Presidential Office]

Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk-yeol also pointed out that the surge in fake news could threaten the democratic system. On the 2nd, he attended the "1st AI Safety Summit" held in the UK via video conference and said, "The emergence of generative AI such as ChatGPT has enhanced the convenience of our lives and increased industrial productivity, but the digital divide worsens economic disparities, and the surge in fake news shrinks our freedom and threatens democratic systems such as elections."

He added, "Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), must contribute solely to expanding human freedom and welfare and must not threaten the safety of individuals and society."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.