Based on your answers to the previous assignment (See Lasallian Service Plan: Part 1),
answer the following question:
1. What can I contribute to addressing this social issue? What concrete actions can I do
within the next year in relation to addressing this need or issue?
Today's most significant threat to civilizations may be the quick-moving misinformation
spread through social media and other communication channels. When it comes to spreading
false information or disinformation that is referred to as "fake news," it is nothing new. Because
of new technologies and communication channels, false information can now be spread more
quickly and alarmingly than ever before. This flaw exposes the public to incorrect information,
which incites outrage and results in a virtual war and instability. According to the public, every
person has a right to get reliable news in order to avoid unfavorable criticism that could be
detrimental to the current democracy. Social media platforms have fed the public's hungry need
for knowledge to the point where they now demand the right to know where a nation is headed
in terms of leadership.
Nowadays, fake news is widely spread over the globe and even causes fear in its
intended audience. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, and
a number of other websites, are used to disseminate fake news. Furthermore, those that
disseminate misleading information are frequently experts who know how to seduce readers or
viewers with attention-getting strategies. Because of this, many individuals relied on these in
order to vote for their preferred candidates without even knowing the actual facts. The analysis
of how misinformation occurs and spreads on social media platforms, for example, will enable
us to understand what proposed solutions by Facebook and Twitter might work and why and will
serve as your weapon to discover the truth of how reality functions. Knowing what can prevent
people from sharing and believing false information on social media is essential to finding a
workable solution. This has an impact on us in a way that keeps us from seeing the truth, which
leads to our failing economic system.
Because of this, we can contribute to this kind of societal issue as a student. One of the
established methods for preventing fake news is fact-checking. With this technique, an
individual can examine the publication date, the author, and the verified news of reputable
broadcasters. It is essential to review everything before acting because each individual is
accountable for anything they write and share hence it is evident that we have no authority over
others. Thus, we cannot command them to stop disseminating false information. The only thing
we can control is our behavior by trying to persuade people not to blindly believe, especially
when there is not enough credible proof. It is important to be mindful when using social media
and to remember that not everything we see online is factual. By disseminating to others the
articles that can be trusted for their own purpose, we are going to boost how people can identify
fake news and disinformation as my concrete approach for solving this need within the following
year. We shall do everything we can to stop it and make sure that false information is verified
before it is shared on social media. Therefore, without a source to back it up, we should not
blindly believe any news. Instead, we should do some research about it, and if we know
anything is false, we should not distribute it to others until we learn the truth. And by doing this,
we can protect both ourselves and others from falling for false information.
2. How do I ensure that my Lasallian Service Plan is capacitating, mutually empowering,
life affirming, and context sensitive?
When it comes to digital disinformation, it is important to ensure that our Lasallian
Service Plan is capacitative, mutually empowering, life-affirming, and context-sensitive. To be
able to achieve these; for it to be Capacitating, the service plan should aim to build the capacity
of the people we are serving to identify and combat digital disinformation. We can do this by
providing training and education on how to identify and verify sources of information, promoting
critical thinking skills, and providing resources for fact-checking. In order for it to be Mutually
empowering, the service plan should empower both the people we are serving and the
volunteers we are working with to collaborate in identifying and combatting digital
disinformation. We can do this by creating a supportive and collaborative environment where
everyone's opinions and ideas are valued, and by providing opportunities for personal and
professional growth. For it to be Life-affirming, the service plan should be designed in a way that
affirms the dignity and worth of every individual, while providing ways to confront the
disinformation without further harm. This can be achieved by promoting ethical and responsible
use of social media platforms and providing resources for online safety, privacy, and security.
And lastly, to achieve Context-sensitivity, the service plan should be responsive to the unique
cultural, social, and economic context of the community we are serving, with special attention to
the groups most vulnerable to digital disinformation. We can do this by engaging with
community leaders and stakeholders, conducting a needs assessment, and designing services
that are appropriate and relevant to the local context.
By executing these actions, It will provide the community with the necessary knowledge
and tools to counteract disinformation while promoting a healthy and safe online environment.
3. In what ways can I involve others to help me in this service engagement?
Social media has its fair share of pros and cons. Although it is the primary source of
disinformation, it is also a powerful tool to counter such, making social media a perfect medium
for awareness campaigns. Using widely known platforms, we, as students, can create content
on how to spot disinformation, fact check, amplify credible sources, and report disinformation,
thereby mobilizing the community in action through acts of educating oneself and others.
Investigate potential for collaboration by finding organizations or groups that are engaged in
comparable activities. To increase the effectiveness of our activities, we can exchange
resources, information, and expertise. Utilize social media to communicate with potential
volunteers and promote the initiative. Our peers may encourage people to participate by sharing
our work and providing updates, images, and videos in relation to debunking fake claims.
Fake news and misinformation are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, and it
is critical that we all work together to combat them. A great way to guarantee the success of our
service engagement is to involve others in what we are trying to accomplish. Making sure that
your friends, family, and peers are aware of the risks of fake news and misinformation is the first
step in educating others. Show them where to find trustworthy news sources and how to
recognize fake news.
thinking that everyone you know enroll in media literacy courses, which we can teach people
how to assess news sources and identify possible misinformation.
We can build a larger network of people who are passionate about combating false information
and fake news by enlisting others in our service engagement. Additionally, we can increase
resources and support while raising awareness of the problem. We can strengthen our
democracy and build a more informed society by working together.