Australia’s Catholic bishops say tech giants like Facebook, Google and Twitter put profits before people. In their view, the companies should be fined for spreading fake news and offensive content. The conference points out that social media platforms’ core business is to sell advertising and maximise profits. The bishops want greater regulation of digital platforms Read more
After 50 people were murdered in a deadly attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, it didn’t take long for fake news to start popping up online. Some social media users shared misleading videos allegedly showing attacks on churches and mass conversions to Islam. We debunked some of the videos below Read more
When President Donald Trump tweeted that Time magazine had contacted him about being named “Person of the Year,” but that he had turned it down, a representative from the magazine said the president’s tweet didn’t have “a speck of truth.” The next day, reports surfaced that Trump had been denying that it is his voice on the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, Read more
The fake news brigade has been at it again. This time, it is falsely claiming the Vatican is creating an “ecumenical Mass”. Archbishop Arthur Roche, who is the number two official at the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, says reports of a joint Mass were “utterly false”. Greg Burke, Director Read more
A fake news report has convinced several media outlets that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is dying. In fact, he isn’t dying. The report is “pure invention,” Benedict’s personal secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein says. Ganswein is also alleged to have said Benedict was “like a candle that fades slowly”. “He is serene, at peace with God, Read more
Last Saturday the Samoan Congregation Christian Church’s (CCCS) media officer sent out a news item to the effect that the chairman of the Church would be holding a press conference at 6 pm to announce he was stepping down. The item came in the form of a text from EFKS TV’s reporter and media officer Rula Read more
It has long been the case that the forces arrayed against the media have been overwhelming, and, with journalistic ranks thinning, there is less and less resistance to spin, disinformation and propaganda. George Orwell’s vision in 1984 is beginning to look like old news. It is not just fake news that is the problem. Increasingly, Read more
Catholic media from all over Asia gathered in Kuala Lumpur recently. Their aim – to develop strategies to counter fake news. They noted social media is particularly known for spreading false news stories. The meeting was convened by the World Catholic Association for Communication. Read more
More nonsense about the Pope is doing the rounds. The Vatican said most people will realise the current story is “absurd”. The latest nonsense is said to have started at a fake news site called RealNewsRightNow.com The story says Francis said God told him to revise the Ten Commandments. Francis agreed to do so and Read more