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It’s 2020. We’ve just been locked down for a further 6 weeks due to a global pandemic that has been attacking the world since March. With such big life changing events, such as Covid-19, has landed news outlets as prime suspects in taking part of contributing to ‘Fake News’. While independent documentaries can create casual sense, it can also create resistance (Juhasz and Lebow, 2018). I chose the topic of fake news as it is prevalent in todays society. The use of fake news instills fear on individuals to adapt their way of living to what they read and see in the media.
This week we participated in watching independent documentaries about social and political issues. It was incredibly inspiring to see how much information and creativity can be combined into a short film. I gained inspiration from 60 Years and Still Short by Sally Tran. I enjoyed her use of animation as a way to discuss and educate her audience on the topic of police brutality towards POC over the last 60 years.
Creating a controversial video regarding what is spread through the media helps educate and connect the passion (Zimmerman, 2000) of the audience. Fake news often involves the misinformation of current events. For example, the most recent, Trump calling the explosion in Beirut an “attack”. This is internalised racism towards middle eastern countries and teaches his audience to assume explosions should be immediately thought to be terrorist attacks. Fake news spreads false ideas of gender, race and politics through its exaggerated headlines. Most times this exacerbates the issue rather then inform its audience. Fake news can be spread anywhere. From newspaper headlines, the television, twitter, to even sending a text of rumours to a friend. In my film, I wanted to capture the many ways in which fake news can be spread and how easy it is to pass on misinformation. Recently, I have found even my own friends and family passing on false information about restrictions and stage 4 which instills fear into myself. One of my biggest fears with this stage 4 lock down was being unable to visit or see my partner at all. Since March he has been such a constant in my life and I really struggle with uncontrollable change. I heard rumours and questions flying around that you wouldn’t be able to, but thankfully listening to reputable leaders I learnt I had the permission to see him.
It is important to gain your information from reliable sources. Although the news is suspects of spreading fake news, such as channel 7 and 9, educated news sources such as ABC provide information that is correct and accurate. It is important to remember that not everything that is read in the media is entirely true and correct. We are lucky to have news outlets that allow us to stay informed, but as an audience, I try to make sure I have reliable sources to believe.
References:
Juhasz, Alexandra and Alisa Lebow. 2018. “Beyond Story: an Online, Community-Based Manifesto.” World Records 2 (3).
Zimmermann, Patricia Rodden. 2000. States of emergency : documentaries, wars, democracies, Visible evidence. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Credit to video:
Voice over: myself
Music:
Serious Documentary Background Music For Videos by AShamaluevMusic
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