Search

Misinformation has always existed and has been promoted by groups of individuals, who share the same interests, in order to reach ideological, political or financial goals. In recent years, the emergence of the Internet and social platforms has opened a new and larger dimension in the dissemination of false content and information. With the help of these new technological means, the process of manipulation has evolved and reached a new level which materialized in the concept of fake news. The negative effects associated with this phenomenon have aroused interest among specialists, who are striving to find efficient instruments in order to combat the dissemination of fake information.

In the last decade, the new means of communication have determined substantial changes in human behavior and in the way individuals interact with each other. Besides the numerous benefits and opportunities that have arisen throughout the digitalization process, both for individuals as well as for private companies and state institutions, the widespread use of the Internet has generated vulnerabilities and threats. One of the most consistent concerns related to the new means of communication, especially social media platforms, refers to fake news. In recent years, major events including the 2016 presidential election in the US, Brexit, and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic have proven the negative effects of fake news on society.