Post-Truth: Hoaxes, Misinformation, Trust and Reputation in the Network Society

Information quality is an increasingly pressing problem in network society, as it is the price we pay for the information overload afflicting us. This article illustrates three empirical cases that will help provide a better understanding of the range and breadth of misinformation, distinguishing between hoaxes, rumors, and conspiracies. The following sections discuss the limitations of remedies based on fact checking and debunking, and of proposed legislation to counter misinformation. The conclusions suggest several approaches to learning to deal with misinformation which should be addressed by future research: the processes of building and assessing reputation, the development of pragmatic trust, the dangers of the bubble effect, and the need for greater transparency concerning the algorithms that control online platforms.