What’s New about “Fake News”? Critical Digital Literacies in an Era of Fake News, Post-Truth, and Clickbait

From Digital Culture & Society

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

[edit] Article Reference (APA)

Pangrazio, L. (2018). What’s new about ‘fake news’? Critical digital literacies in an era of fake news, post-truth and clickbait. Páginas de Educación,

[edit] Article Link and DOI

https://ocul-bu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_BU/p5aakr/cdi_dialnet_primary_oai_dialnet_unirioja_es_ART0001305924

DOI: 10.22235/pe.v11i1.1551

[edit] Context

The article looks at the changing landscape of online news consumption and the imperative for critical digital literacies, particularly in the frame of common challenges such as fake news, post-truth claims, and clickbait. Clickbait, as part of this more general discussion, represents a tool of the digital environment where misleading headlines are created to generate more clicks, but is usually at the expense of content quality or accuracy. When looking at it from the perspective of critical digital literacies, the article proposes that clickbait is one of the tactics employed by digital platforms and media outlets to capture user attention and drive engagement. The focus on digital platforms as a framework for analysis implies that the discussion uses various elements, including the architectural design of platforms, the algorithms governing content visibility, and the network effects that influence information dissemination. Within this framework, the article suggests that clickbait is mixed in with broader issues such as the personalization of information, the creation of echo chambers, and the monetization of user data extraction by platforms. By addressing how platform architecture can be manipulated, the article dives into the technical aspects of online news consumption, with its focus on that the design and features of digital platforms play a pivotal role in shaping user experiences. The article also mentions political and social issues and underscores the multi-layered and complicated nature of challenges posed by clickbait and other , extending beyond technical aspects to include the impact on public discourse, political beliefs, and the formation of online communities. To put it all together, this article sets the stage for a deep dive into the delicate details that come with online news consumption, with a specific focus on clickbait as a manifestation of broader issues related to digital platforms, information architecture, and the critical digital literacies required to navigate this intricate landscape.

[edit] Overview

The article explores the necessity of critical digital literacies in the contemporary landscape dominated by fake news, post-truth assertions, and clickbait. It uses digital platforms as a framework to analyze the transformation of news creation, sharing, and audience engagement online. Key aspects covered include the personalized nature of information on platforms, the creation of echo chambers, the monetization of data extraction, and the potential manipulation of platform architecture. The central argument has undertones of the technical, political, and social complexities surrounding online news consumption, emphasizing the critical literacies required to navigate these challenges effectively.

[edit] Strengths

The article provides a clear and concise overview of the study’s main focus, which is the importance of critical digital literacies in the realm of many challenges like fake news, post-truth claims, and clickbait. It effectively outlines the key elements covered in the article, such as the impact of digital platforms' architecture, algorithms, and network effects on news creation, sharing, and audience engagement. The mention of specific issues, including personalization, echo chambers, and data monetization, adds depth to the article and signals the article's relevance to current digital media concerns. To add, the article successfully communicates the main argument that these challenges underscore the need for a deeper understanding of technical, political, and social dimensions in online news consumption, emphasizing the importance of critical literacies.

[edit] Assessment

To summarize, the article provides a very deep, and detailed overview of the focus on the critical need for digital literacies in the face of fake news, post-truth narratives, and clickbait. It does a good job of exploring the impact of digital platforms, examining their architecture, algorithms, and network effects on the creation, sharing, and consumption of news. The discussion spans very important aspects like personalized information, echo chambers, and the monetization of data extraction, emphasizing the technical, political, and social complexities surrounding online news. The fair assessment recognizes the article's depth in addressing the many challenges of overall news consumption, and gives a well-rounded perspective on the evolving and always changing landscape of digital information.

Bd20mp 09:58, 4 December 2023 (EST)

Personal tools
Bookmark and Share