Fake news and propaganda have existed for decades, if not centuries. But with social media algorithms reinforcing confirmation bias and with the advent of deep fake technology, misinformation has reached unprecedented levels. As a result, trust has plummeted and corporate crises are becoming ever-more common.


In this episode of the Digital Download Podcast, I talk to Kate Hartley from crisis simulation platform Polpeo. Kate has recently written a book called Communicate in a Crisis that takes a detailed look at why people behave the way they do on social media, how misinformation spreads as a result and how companies can best handle this.

Here's what is discussed in this episode:







How crisis management has evolved in the last few years
Why the speed of information online is scaring companies so much
How we’re now far more likely to learn of things that outrage us
Why people wear outrage as a badge of honour
How the media reinforces the spread of misinformation
How trust is likely to continue to erode
Why being transparent and the trusted voice of authority is so vital now
The reasons people spread misinformation
How misinformation is leading to increased polarisation
Why Facebook does not listen to use through our mobile phones
Why you must have ‘fake news’ in your crisis plan
How to deal with misinformation in the midst of a social media crisis
Whether people will start to disengage with social media in future

 


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