The impact of fake news on businesses
In times of crisis and uncertainty, news sources overflow with developments and updates surrounding the pandemic. Not only big media like newspapers, television and online platforms like Nu.nl are full of it, but also smaller websites, blogs and social media. It is, of course, super that we want and are able to keep each other informed through these avenues, but the circulation of 'fake news' - news stories containing completely false information or deliberately misleading parts - also explodes as a result.
A crisis like this, cannot have escaped anyone's notice. Little is known about the virus, but we want to know exactly what it is, where it comes from and how to arm ourselves against it. We start researching and scouring the internet for information. Who knows, you might stumble across an article with an interesting take on the virus, shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the guise 'more people need to know about this'. Before you know it, it circulates through your entire circle of friends. We can very easily keep each other updated on important news these days, but this is also a way in which fake news rears its head. This still gives the internet, and social media, a bittersweet aftertaste.
Consequences of fake news
Now, the effects of fake news are often harmless, and enough people can poke through, but sometimes the conspiracy theories get out of hand. In the past few weeks, there have been increasing reports of a link allegedly existing between the new 5G network, which is being rolled out and tested in several countries, and the coronavirus. The story now has so many supporters that transmission masts have been set on fire in several places in the Netherlands. And this is without actual evidence that there is a correlation - let alone causal relationship - between the 5G network and COVID-19.
Last Sunday, Arjen Lubach quoted the story on Zondag met Lubach. Among other things, he showed that there is no evidence that this theory is correct ánd that not only 5G masts were set on fire, but also the 'regular' 2G, 3G and 4G masts. Should these masts go down, this could affect emergency services that depend on them, for instance, but could also impact businesses. With a large part of the Dutch working from home, it is crucial to stay reachable, both by phone and internet.
Stigma surrounding 5G network
With the link to the corona virus, the stigma surrounding the 5G network is growing even more. Besides the fact that many fields are waiting for the 5G network, such as healthcare, it also has an impact on companies developing and providing the service. Telecom providers like Vodafone and KPN tell NOS that it is crucial for the Netherlands and its economy not to fall behind with the rollout of 5G. Now, there are several factors at play in this example that have nothing to do with corona or fake news, but it is certainly not a positive development for these companies that, thanks in part to the spread of fake news, there is even more resistance, which is not justified. Circulating fake news can cause reputational damage to the party in question.
Be aware of fake news
It is important to stay aware of how we share knowledge with each other. When in doubt, for instance, always check the source, or see if the message has also been picked up by other media. Do you have questions about fake news and the impact it can have on your business? Or about the best way to deal with it? Please contact us, we will be happy to think along with you.
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