What Is Fake News?

With any issue the emphasis should be on prevention rather than cure and that’s how, in a fun and inclusive way, Let’s Call Bull Ltd operates.  We were set up to educate people as to what is Fake and True online and how to recognise the difference and stay safe. 

Generation X and millennials have been brought up on what used to be called propaganda and although we are aware of it it will be generation Z or Generation Alpha who will grow up in control of Fake News and hopefully with a stronger more rounded view of the world and themselves if we do our jobs right.

So, what EXACTLY is Fake News?

Fake News is any form of reporting, self-promotion, advertising or misleading information that is published with a view of swaying people opinions, selling something or getting ‘clicks’.  It is much deeper routed than just the top line political arguments it is normally associated with.

As we become more and more reliant on technology and live in an ‘always on’ society Fake News is unfortunately easier than ever to propagate and inevitably travels faster than True News due to human nature.  A lot of people don’t realise it is false so they are basing their beliefs and self-worth on it which is hugely damaging in the long term to their development, self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Why it’s important to teach and talk about it?

We are genuinely putting our children’s Mental and Physical health at risk by not addressing this issue and arming them with the knowledge that this is happening around them.  We are not talking about it enough or giving them a medium to openly debate the insidious growth of Fake News in their life and what it is doing to them. 

What we have observed from over 18,000 unique articles on www.LetsCallBull.com by looking at the repeating patterns we believe that Fake News is driving the following issues…

Mental Issues…

• People, not just children are forming unrealistic body image expectations and putting themselves under ever increasing pressure to be perfect like the Celebrities look in their Social Media pictures.
• There is a huge pressure to conform to a ‘look’ and to act a certain way or buy certain products that is both unrealistic and mentally damaging as well as creating a less inclusive society. 
• Depression, low self-esteem and isolation can happen to any of us at any time no matter how perfect our lives look to others on the outside

Physical & Health Issues…

• There are a myriad of dangerous recommendations out there about how to look after your physical health and quick fixes for a six pack or weight loss.
• The dangers of cosmetic surgery are being under played to keep the industry going
• Obesity is on the rise and it’s been proven that advertising and how we are ‘tricked’ into buying food is adding to it (as is our mental health). 
• STD’s are on the rise, as are many diseases due to Anti-Vaxx disinformation.
• Damaging trends like Vaping are still not fully understood but they are harmful and addictive

Other Issues….

• Not questioning information or profiles on social media has put people at risk of more predatory and dangerous behaviours
• ‘Screen Time’ hysteria flip flops depending on the agenda. 
• The importance of keeping your personal data safe and how it is being used, abused or leaked on almost a weekly basis has become evident.
• The sway that Social Media has had on elections and political standing
• Climate Change is real but we are still not sure what to do about it

How Let’s Call Bull (LCB) can help

We are a totally free website that has user uploaded stories and their views of whether they believe the articles are a ‘Good Call’ or ‘Bull’ (True or Fake News).  Other users then comment and vote on the article based on the explanation given. We’ve found that if you blatantly point out a fault in an article people quickly see the patterns forming in how Fake News is created, which we have backed up in our Blogs section (www.LetsCallBull.Com/Blogs)

For coming up to 2 1/2 years www.LetsCallBull.com has championed not only the calling of ‘Bull’ on Fake News but also the benefits of instilling the truth about what’s going on in the real world and calling ‘True’ when someone is being honest, so there is a positive balance to the site.  LCB is specifically split into different categories so it is as inclusive as possible and demonstrates both True and Bull articles about Health, Politics, Celebrity, Technology, Sport, Entertainment and Other News

The site is user populated, 100% independent, not affiliated and does not contain sponsorship so we have no agenda.  LCB is also moderated, with every story and comment being scrutinised and reviewed as we’re trying to make a safe environment where people challenge what they see, and are also challenged without being bullied or chastised for different opinions. We’re basically trying to say its ok to be ‘you’ and be different, to have an inquisitive mind and challenge what you see out there… so if you have an opinion share it.

Maxwell

Chief Admin