Definition of online rumors
Rumors are considered to be the oldest medium in the world, and they have existed almost as long as the history of human word of mouth. Internet rumors are rumors that have no factual basis and are spread through network media in today's information development, involving various fields. To this day, there is still disagreement about what motivates and defines rumors. Cracking down on online rumors should begin with defining rumors.
First of all, let's understand the various definitions of online rumors:
Falsehood. This is the most common concept, which simply thinks that rumors are false news. However, there are some rumors that are exaggerated on the basis of real events, so it is necessary to distinguish such rumors carefully.
Said deliberately. It has been argued that rumors are spread intentionally and rumors are spread unintentionally. But in reality, a lot of the rumors are spread unintentionally. Therefore, it is not very appropriate to distinguish between rumors and rumors only by "whether they are intentional or not". It can be distinguished from the intensity and breadth of the spread, the rumors spread more widely and more intensively, and the rumors spread a little less and the intensity is not so large. And there is a word difference between rumors and rumors, rumors are biased towards the integrity of the story, and the stream is fragmented and fluid.
Improvised journalism. The concept of impromptu journalism in the process of group discussion provides us with a new perspective. When using this concept, you need to distinguish between rumors and fake news. Among them, once fake news spreads on a large scale and is reprinted by the majority of netizens, it may become an Internet rumor.
Explained with comments. When you see something and add your own explanations and comments, it is possible to generate rumors.
Urban legends. Urban legends are often associated with horror stories, such as cutting human organs, gouging out corneas, and kidnapping of schoolchildren. These kinds of rumors are regular and recurring, like diving, that pop up every once in a while.
The cause of online rumors
Formula for generating online rumors:
Internet rumors = (importance of the event + relevance of the event + entertainment of the event) * ambiguity of the event * push intensity of the event ÷ public criticism ability
The intensity of the spread of online rumors is related to two factors, one is the importance of the event, and the other is the ambiguity of the event, both of which are indispensable. The relationship between the two is a product rather than an additive relationship, and if the ambiguity is zero, no matter how important the matter is, it cannot become a rumor; If the matter is vague enough, but too subtle, people will not pay attention to it and will not spread it. This is the most classic rumor formula.
In 1953, Kolos added an element to the classic rumor formula – the public's ability to be critical. If the public's critical ability is strong enough, no matter how rumors are generated and spread, as long as the public has their own rational judgment, the spread of rumors can be curbed. This is equivalent to "rumors stop at the wise", and the wise man refers to the public's ability to criticize.
In the age of new media, the importance of events is even more complicated. In the classic rumor formula, the relevance and entertainment of the event are added. There are many rumors forwarded on new media platforms, one is related to the person itself, and the other is entertainment. Sometimes netizens forward a rumor, just for the sake of entertainment, which is a motivation for rumors in the new media era.
How to resist online rumors
1. Do not blindly listen to the words of the Internet, do not edit or forward eye-catching content at will before fully understanding the information, remain rational and do not blindly follow the trend, have the quality of seeking truth and pragmatism, understand information through official and other formal channels, and resolutely do not be rumor-mongers and rumors.
2. The more sufficient the knowledge reserve, the stronger the dialectical thinking, and the lie will naturally be self-defeating in the face of knowledge. Read more books, read good books, master certain social knowledge, and enhance the sense of self-protection.
3. Be in awe of the law, learn legal knowledge, cultivate good habits of abiding by the law, and protect ourselves and our families.
4. Any rumor you spread may become the last straw that crushes the camel's back, so be cautious in your words and deeds, refuse to be a "keyboard warrior", and resolutely maintain a good online order. Every netizen has the obligation to resist false information, and can reflect and report false information to the relevant departments, and do not stand idly by.
Internet Police Alert
The Internet is not a "legal blind spot"
Cyberspace is not a "place outside the law"
Keep the bottom line of the law
Restrain individual behavior
Don't believe rumors, don't spread rumors, don't spread rumors
Material: Qinghai Internet Police