Chaff, wheat, filters, and bubbles: A discussion on fake news, journalism, credibility, and affections at network times

Abstract

This paper seeks to situate historically the production of what is now called “fake news” and points out the misconception of establishing a dividing line in which the traditional press would be the sole source for reliable information, even though it was and still is the origin of much untrue or biased information. It criticizes the methods of the fact-checking agencies, which end up selling a false idea of objectivity. But above all, it points out the need to deepen the discussion about credibility at a time when reference information standards are challenged and beliefs seem to be allowed to prevail over the evidences. If arguments are useless in face of convictions, and if journalism is more than never necessary, the way to recover its role would have to be sought outside the rational field, in order to deactivate the affections that lead to the formation of bubbles refractory to all criticism.