While discussions about social media continue all over the world; In Germany, the view that social media is the source of fake news comes to the fore. While 81 percent of the public sees disinformation spread in this way as a threat to democracy; Social media users stated that a center like the “Combating Disinformation Center” established within Germany’s Directorate of Communications in Turkey could be established, and presented Turkey as an example.
While striking results were obtained in a study conducted in Germany regarding social media, the detail in Türkiye attracted attention.
The research was conducted by Bertelsmann, one of the country’s largest foundations. Most respondents see disinformation spread online as a threat to democracy and social cohesion. 81 percent fear that disinformation will influence elections and divide society, and that controversial issues such as immigration, health, war and the climate crisis will be manipulated.
THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOVERNMENT
Two-thirds of those surveyed blame names and bloggers active on social media for spreading misinformation. The rate of those who accuse the governments of other countries of spreading false information is 53 percent. The rate of those who see the German Government as the source of disinformation is 50 percent. Social media is generally seen as the source of fake news.
‘TAKE TURKEY AS AN EXAMPLE’
While 93 percent of the participants state that they trust the media, they believe that fake news is spread primarily to weaken trust in politics and democracy. Social media users stated that a center like the “Combating Disinformation Center” established within Germany’s Directorate of Communications in Turkey could be established, and presented Turkey as an example.