BEEd 1A 04/07/25

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND SOCIETY
(STS)
INFORMATION AGE
FAKE NEWS & MISINFORMATION

Submitted by:
DOLONO, CHERRYL C. PIORATO, PEARLY JANE
ERAN, NOVIE MARIE S. ULILA, FAITH S.

INFORMATION AGE
OBJECTIVES
  define information age
 discuss the history of information age
 understand and consider the factors that are need in checking website
sources

INTRODUCTION
The Information Age describes a modern, automated, data-driven, and
technologically advanced society where information is easily transferred and
shared. It has significantly influenced communication, economics, industry,
health, and the environment. However, rapid technological advancement
also has disadvantages.

According to Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary,

information is "knowledge communicated or obtained concerning a specific
fact or circumstance." The Information Age began in the late 20th century,
making information effortlessly accessible through publications and
computer networks. It is also known as the Digital Age or New Media Age
due to the rise of computers.

James R. Messenger's Theory of the Information Age (1982) describes

it as a new era driven by real-time telecommunications and interconnected
information systems. The key factors of this age are convenience and user-
friendliness, which lead to user dependence.

HISTORY AND EMRGENCE OF INFORMATION AGE

The Information Age traces the development of recording and sharing

information. It began with ancient writing systems, including Sumerian
pictographs (3000 BC), Egyptian hieroglyphics (2900 BC), and the invention
of paper and woodblock printing in China (105 AD). The invention of the
printing press by Gutenberg in 1455 marked a significant leap in information
dissemination.

Technological advancements followed, including the telegraph (1837),

the Dewey Decimal System (1876), and the introduction of television
broadcasting (1939). The Digital Age emerged with the development of the
first computer (ENIAC) in 1946 and the introduction of information theory by
Claude Shannon in 1948. The UNIX operating system (1969) and the first
microprocessor by Intel (1971) laid the foundation for modern computing.

The Modern Computing era saw the introduction of personal

computers (Altair in 1975, Apple Macintosh in 1984) and advancements in
internet security, highlighted by the cracking of an internet security code in
1997.

EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION AND ITS IMPACT

 As human society evolved, the way information was handled changed
drastically:

Early humans kept information to themselves. Over time, they began

sharing and managing it through different means. In the 1960s and 1970s,
information became overwhelming, making it difficult to organize. In the
1980s, “Information Anxiety” emerged, as people struggled to process vast
amounts of data. By the 1990s, information became a business currency,
and information officers played a key role in managing it.

12 TRUTHS OF INFORMATION AGE ACCORDING TO

ROBERT HARRIS
1. Competition of Information– Information must compete for attention in
a world filled with increasing clutter.

2. Newness vs. Truth – People often equate newer information with being
more accurate, forgetting that older facts and values can still hold true.

3. Selection as a Viewpoint – The choice of sources affects how we

perceive reality. A balanced view requires multiple sources.

4. Culture-Driven Media – Media reflects what society values and

prioritizes.

5. Early Word Influence – The first media channel to report on an issue

shapes how it is perceived.

6. Critical Thinking – People should not form conclusions without seeing

all perspectives.

7. Counterfeit Information – High demand for sensational content leads to

fabrications by tabloids and publicists.

8. Controversy in Ideas – No idea is universally accepted; all assertions

have supporters and detractors.

9. Persistence of Misinformation – Rumors and falsehoods continue to

circulate even after being debunked.

10. Media’s Influence on Behavior – People act differently when they

know they are being filmed.

11. Medium Shapes Message – Television emphasizes visual content like

disasters over textual or auditory messages.

12. Truth as a Pursuit – The information we receive is often filtered,

manipulated, or incomplete. What is left out can be as important as what is
included.
COMPUTERS
 An electronic device that stores and process data (Information).
 are among the most important contributions of advances in the
Information Age to society. (US history org, 2017)

TYPES OF COMPUTER
 the term " computer" can apply to virtually any device that has a
microprocessor in it
 computers are associated with numerous terms and description.
 most people suggest the dimensions, .intended use, or the computer's
power

1.) PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC)

 it is a single-user instrument.
 PC where first known as microcomputer since they were a complete
computer but build on a smaller scale than the enormous systems
operated by the most businesses

2.) DESKTOP COMPUTER

 describe as a pc that is not designed for portability

 the assumption with a desktop is that it will be set up in a permanent
spot ( US history org, 2017)

3.) LAPTOPS

 these are portable computers that integrate the essentials of a desktop

computer in a battery powered package which are some of larger than
a typical hardcover book . They are commonly called notebooks

4.) PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT (PDAS)

 they are tightly integrated computers that usually have no keyboards

but rely on a touch screen per user input.
 typically smaller than a paperback, lightweight, and battery powered
( US history org, 2017).

5.) SERVER

 refers to a computer that has been improved to provide network

services to other computers ( US history org, 2017)

6.) MAINFRAMES

 the term "mainframe" has been replaced by enterprise server.

 these are huge computer system that can fill an entire room.
 they are used especially by large firms to describe the large, expensive
machines that process millions of transaction everyday.
7.) WEARABLE COMPUTERS

 they involve materials that are usually integrated into cellphones,

watches and other small objects are places.
 they perform common computers applications.

THE WORLD WIDE WEB (INTERNET)

Claude E. Shannon

- american mathematician

 considered as the " Father of Information Theory"

 he published a paper proposing that information can be
quantitatively encoded as a sequence of one's and zeroes

INTERNET
 it was developed during the 1970s by the Department of Defense.
 is a worldwide system of interconnected networks that facilitate data
transmission among innumerable computers.

EARLY PROBLEM FACED BY INTERNET USERS

 the speed
 phone lines could only transmit information at a limited rate.

DIRECTORS OF A STANFORD RESEARCH PROJECT

 built a search engine that listed results to reflect page popularity when
they determine that the most popular result would frequently be the
most usable

PROS

 message could be sent and receive at the convenience of the

individual
 a letter that tooks a real days to arrive could be read in minutes
 Ex : internet service providers of american online and computer setup
electronic chat rooms.
 business are built on digitized information of become valuable and
powerful in a relatively short period of time
 Ex: from microsoft's Bill Gates to Apple's Steve Jobs to Facebook's
Mark Zuckerberg
CONS
 internet created a technological device that increase the gap
between the member of the higher class in the work class of
society
 it allowed pornography to be broadcast to millions of homes
 crimes in various forms are rampant because of the use of social
media
 Ex: cyberbullying is an issue that possess alarm worldwide
 WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE HARM AND
DAMAGE DUE TO ABUSE OF THESE ADVANCES IN THE
INFORMATION AGE

APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS IN SCIENCE AND

RESEARCH
Bioinformatics is the application of information technology to store,
organize, and analyze vast amount of biological data which is available in
the form of sequences and structures of proteins-the building blocks of
organisms and nucleic acids-the information carrier (Madan, n.d.).
Early interest in bioinformatics was established because of a need to
create databases of biological sequences. The human brain cannot store all
the genetic sequences of organisms and this huge amount of data can only
be stored, analyzed, and be used efficiently with the use of computers.
Moreover, from the pharmaceutical industry's point of view,
bioinformatics is the key to rational drug discovery. It reduces the number of
trials in the screening of drug compounds and in identifying potential drug
targets for a particular disease using high-power computing workstations
and software like Insight. This profound application of bioinformatics in
genome sequence has led to a new area in pharmacology-
Pharmacogenomics, where potential targets for drug development are
hypothesized from the genome sequences. Molecular modeling, which
requires a lot of calculations, has become faster due to the advances in
computer processors and its architecture (Madan, n.d.).
In plant biotechnology, bioinformaties is found to be useful in the areas
of identifying diseases resistance genes and designing plants with high
nutrition value (Madan, n.d.).

HOW TO CHECK THE RELIABILITY OF WEB SOURCES

The following guidelines can help us check the reliability of web sources that
we gather. It is noteworthy to consider and apply the following guidelines to
avoid misinformation. (Lee College Library, n.d.)
1. Who is the author of the article/site?
How to find out?Look for an "About" or "More About the Author" link at the
top, bottom, or sidebar of the webpage. Some pages will have a corporate
author rather than a single person as an author. If no information about the
author(s) of the page is provided, be suspicious.
✓ Does the author provide his or her credentials?
✓ What type of expertise does he or she have on the subject he or she
is
writing about? Does he or she indicate what his or her education is?
mil - military
gov - government
.org - nonprofit

2. What is the main purpose of the site? Why did the author write it
and why did the publisher post it?
To sell a product?
As a personal hobby?
As public service?
To further scholarship on a topic?
To provide general information on a topic?
To persuade you of a particular point of view?
Who is the intended audience?
Scholars or the general public?
Which age group is it written for?
Is it aimed at people from a particular geographic area?
Is it aimed at members of a particular profession or with specific training?

3. What is the quality of information provided on the website?

Timeliness: When was the website first published? Is it regularly updated?
Check for dates at the bottom of each page on the site.
Does the author cite sources? Just as in print sources, web sources that cite
their sources are considered more reliable.
What type of other sites does the website link to? Are they reputable sites?
What types of sites link to the website you are evaluating? Is the website
being cited by others ?
EXAMPLES OF USEFUL AND RELIABLE WEB
SOURCES

1. AFA e-Newsleer (Alzheimer's foundation of America newsletter)

2. American Memory - the Library of Congress historical digital collection.
3. Bartleby.com Great Books Online e-books including fictions,
nonfictions, references, and verses.
4. Chronicling America - search and view pages from American
newspapers from 1800-1922
5. Cyber Bullying a free collection of e-books from ebrary plus additional
reports and documents to help better understand, prevent and take
action against this growing concern.
6. Drug information websites:
 National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus
 Drugs.com
 PDRhealth
7. Global Gateway: World Culture & Resources (from the Library of
Congress)
8. Google Books
9. Googlescholar.com
10. History sites with primary documents:
 AMDOCS: Documents for the study of American history
 Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy
(Yale Law School)
 Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Colonial Latin America
 Teacher Oz' Kingdom of History
11. Illinois Digital Archives - the Illinois State Library working with libraries,
museums, and historical societies in Illinois provides this
collection of materials related to Illinois history,
12. Internet Archive - a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural
artifacts in digital form.
13. Internet Archive for CARLI digitized resources
14. Internet Public Library
15. ipl2a - merger of Librarians' Internet Index and Internet Public Library.
Special interest may include the "Literary Criticisms" page which can
be found after clicking on the "Special Collections" link.
16. Librarians' Internet Index
17. Making of America - a digital library of primary sources in American
social history.
18. Maps - from the University of Texas at Austin collection. Includes
historical and thematic maps.
19. NationMaster - a massive central data source and a handy way to
graphically compare nations. It is a vast compilation of data from such
sources as the CIA World Factbook, UN, and OECD.
20. Nursing sites:
 AHRQ (www.ahrq.gov)
 National Guidelines Clearinghouse (www.guideline.gov)
 PubMed (www.nlm.nih.gov)
21. Project Gutenberg the first and largest single collection of free
electronic books with currently over 20,000 e-books available.
22. Shmoop literature, US history, and poetry information written primarily
by PhD and masters students from top universities like Stanford,
Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale.
23. State Master to research and compare a multitude of different data on
US a unique statistical database which allows you states using various
primary sources such as the US Census Bureau, the FBI, and the
National Center for Educational Statistics.
24. Virtual Reference Library of Congress. selected web resources
compiled by the library of Congress.

SUMMARY
Nowadays, information could be shared or transferred quickly. People are
becoming more interested in sharing information about themselves. Various
aspects of our society are also being influenced by the Information Age
especially communication, economics, industry, health, and the
environment. The rapid upgrade of information poses both positive and
negative impacts to our society. Therefore, we need to carefully check our
motives before disseminating information and we also need to verify
information before believing them and using and sharing them. We should
share information that could help improve our lives and others.
 FAKE NEWS and MISINOFRMATION
Fake news refers to false, misleading, or fabricated information
presented as credible news.
The Philippines, with one of the highest rates of social media usage
globally, is uniquely vulnerable to the spread of misinformation. Fake news,
or deliberately misleading or fabricated information, thrives on platforms like
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which are widely accessed by Filipinos for
news and entertainment. Can be broadly defined as content that is
deliberately false or misleading, presented as legitimate news. It is
important to distinguish between fake news, misinformation, and
disinformation. While misinformation refers to incorrect information shared
without malicious intent, disinformation is intentionally deceptive. Fake news
falls squarely under disinformation, often crafted with the intent to deceive or
manipulate.

THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS ARE COMMON

TO FAKE NEWS:
Sensationalism:
Fake news stories are often highly sensationalized, using emotional
language designed to provoke strong reactions. They tend to exaggerate
facts or fabricate events to make them appear more dramatic than they
really are.
Example:
Headlines like "BREAKING: President Duterte to Declare Martial Law
Nationwide" are designed to create fear or excitement, even though the
story might not be true.
Vague or Unverified Sources:
Fake news often relies on anonymous sources or unverified claims.
These sources are usually not traceable or credible, which raises doubts
about the story’s authenticity.
Polarization:
Fake news thrives in an environment of division, where individuals are
already predisposed to believe certain narratives. It often reinforces existing
biases and deepens societal rifts.

HOW FAKE NEWS SPREADS

 Fake news spreads quickly due to several factors in modern media
ecosystems. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
amplify fake news through algorithms that prioritize emotionally charged,
sensational content. This creates echo chambers where people are
exposed mainly to misinformation that supports their existing beliefs.
Additionally, troll farms in the Philippines actively spread fake news for
political or financial motives, using fake accounts to create false perceptions
of widespread support or opposition. Lastly, a lack of media literacy among
Filipinos makes it easier for fake news to be accepted as truth, as many
people lack the skills to critically assess information.

IMPACT OF FAKE NEWS

Political Impact: Fake news shapes political discourse by spreading
misinformation during elections, influencing voter perceptions, and
manipulating public opinion. It blurs the lines between truth and
propaganda, making it difficult for voters to make informed decisions.
Erosion of Public Trust: The spread of fake news erodes trust in media
institutions and public authorities. As misinformation spreads, people
become more skeptical of credible sources and may turn to unreliable
information, further amplifying the problem.
Public Health Risks: During the COVID-19 pandemic, fake news about
vaccines and treatments contributed to vaccine hesitancy and confusion,
hindering efforts to control the health crisis and follow proper health
guidelines.
Social Unrest and Violence: Fake news can incite panic, unrest, and even
violence by spreading false claims about crimes or government actions.
This destabilizes communities and escalates conflicts, especially when
misinformation feeds into existing fears or prejudices.

MISINFORMATION
Misinformation: Refers to false or inaccurate information shared without
any intent to deceive. It may be spread unwittingly or as a result of
misunderstanding.
Fake News: Deliberately fabricated or manipulated information, often
designed to mislead or influence public opinion, especially for political or
financial gain.
Key Distinction: While misinformation is often unintentional, fake news is
created with the intention of misleading or manipulating the audience.
7 TYPES OF MIS/DISINFORMATION
UNICEF identifies 7 main types of mis and disinformation, all of which can
impact children.
1. SATIRE / PARODY
Satirical content and parodies can spread misinformation. This is misleading
information that is not intended to harm. Creators of the content know the
information is false, but share it for humour. However, if people
misunderstand the intent, they might spread it as true.
2. FALSE CONNECTIONS
Clickbait for views can mislead users. This is content where the headline,
visuals or captions don’t match the actual content. This is often clickbait to
get more views on a video, visits to a page or engagement on social media.
3. MISLEADNING CONTENT
Intentionally misleading content can create anger. People might share
information in misleading way to frame an event, issue or person in a
particular way. An example is when an old photo is used on a recent social
media post. It might spread outrage or fear until the photo receives the right
context.
4. FAKE CONTEXT
Giving fake context can cause unnecessary outrage. Fake context is when
information is shared with incorrect background information.
5. IMPOSTER CONTENT
Impersonation can cause harm in many ways. This is when a person, group
or organisation pretends they are another person or source. Imposter
content can trick people into:
 Sending money
 Sharing personal information
 Further spreading misinformation
6. MANIPULATED CONTENT
True information that’s altered is hard to notice.
Manipulated content is real information, images or videos that are altered or
changed in some way to deceive others. Some deepfakes are an example
of such content.
7. FABRICATED CONTENT
Completely false information can lead to harm. Fabricated content is
disinformation created without any connection to truth. Its overall intention is
to deceive and harm. Fabricated content can quickly become
misinformation.

RESEARCH INTO MISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS

 According to Ofcom, 79% of 12-15-year-olds feel that news they hear

from family is ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ true.
 28% of children aged 12-15 use TikTok as a news source (Ofcom).
 6 in 10 parents worry about their child ‘being scammed/defrauded/lied
to/impersonated’ by someone they didn’t know.
 Around 4 in 10 children aged 9-16 said they experienced the feeling of
‘being unsure about whether what I see is true’. This was the second
most common experience after ‘spending too much time online’.
 NewsWise from The National Literacy Trust helped children develop
their media literacy skills. Over that time, the children able to
accurately assess news as false or true increased from 49.2% to 68%.
This demonstrates the importance of teaching media literacy.

COMBATING MISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS

Combating misinformation and fake news requires a multi-faceted
approach. First, promoting media literacy is essential, as teaching people to
critically assess the information they consume helps them recognize false or
misleading content. This can be achieved by incorporating media literacy
programs into school curricula and community outreach initiatives. Second,
regulating social media is crucial, with governments and tech companies
collaborating to implement mechanisms such as fact-checking labels,
stricter content moderation, and greater transparency about algorithms to
limit the spread of false information. Additionally, fact-checking initiatives
need to be strengthened, with independent bodies like Rappler and ABS-
CBN playing key roles in curbing misinformation. Encouraging the public to
rely on trusted fact-checking websites for verification is also important.
Finally, holding those who spread fake news accountable through laws and
policies is essential, especially during critical times like elections or public
health crises. Increased penalties for individuals or groups intentionally
spreading misinformation would help deter such practices.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, both misinformation and fake news present significant
threats to political stability, public health, and social trust in the Philippines.
Misinformation spreads widely, causing confusion and hindering informed
decision-making, while fake news deliberately manipulates public opinion for
various personal or political gains. To combat these issues, it is crucial to
enhance media literacy, regulate social media platforms, and support fact-
checking initiatives. A collective effort involving the government, media, tech
companies, and the public is essential to effectively address the growing
threat of fake news and misinformation, ensuring a more informed and
resilient society.