Combating Fake News: Fostering Informed Citizens

When the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, the founders believed Freedom of The Press could could investigate and report on government wrongdoing, corruption, misinformation, and abuses of power. This would allow for citizens to make informed decisions about their government by getting correct information and opinions.

When the author of this OneUSApp website worked in TV broadcasting,  citizens always heard two points of view on important issues, because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a Fairness Doctrine that required broadcasters to (1) devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest and (2) to provide contrasting views on those matters.  “Equal Time” meant half of a news story presented one side of the issue, and the other half to the opposing point of view. The fairness rule let citizens decide what to think, and aimed to prevent broadcasters from using their powerful platform to promote a single perspective.

Unfortunately,  the FCC abolished the Fairness Doctrine in 1987.  Then the Internet took control of dispensing information, and now anyone can create a “news” website or share opinions and rumors in social media. Fairness in journalism became obsolete as TV news viewership plummeted and newspaper subscriptions were canceled. To get Internet clicks, journalists turned to sensationalist headlines catering to one audience’s point of view. Now much of what we read and see is not always true, and to a degree, we are getting brainwashed with misinformation, much like the Russian citizens who only hear propaganda. Distorted perspectives are creating an angry population.

USApp combats the spread of misinformation

It will provide citizens with direct access to verified information from trusted sources.

• Direct Access to Official Statements: USApp will host official press releases, statements, and policy documents directly from the President, U.S. Senators and Congressmen, the Supreme Court, and all government agencies, ensuring citizens have accurate access to primary sources of information.
• Comparison of Congressional Views: The app can present summaries and links to statements and proposed legislation from members of both parties on key issues, allowing citizens to quickly and accurately see different perspectives side-by-side in a neutral format.
• Media Literacy Resources: The app can offer educational resources, tips, and quizzes to help citizens develop critical thinking skills and identify fake news.
• Transparency in Information Sources: For any information presented within the app, the source should be clearly identified and linked, allowing users to verify the origin and credibility.
• Community-Based Verification (with safeguards): With careful moderation, USApp could allow citizens to flag potentially false information, which could then be reviewed by fact-checkers or official sources. 
• Multilingual News and Information: Ensuring that information is available in multiple languages will make it accessible to a wider range of citizens.
• Interactive Debates and Town Halls: The app could host live or recorded debates and town hall meetings with elected officials from different parties, allowing citizens to hear directly from them and compare their views.
• Fact-Checking Partnerships: USApp can integrate with reputable, non-partisan fact-checking organizations to provide context and debunk misinformation related to government policies and events.
• AI-Powered Misinformation Detection: Integrate AI algorithms to identify and flag potentially false or misleading information circulating elsewhere on the Internet, alerting users within the app.