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Apple's Tim Cook Calls For Strict Policy Against Fake News; Proposes Embedded Information Campaign In School Curriculum

Apple's Tim Cook Calls For Strict Policy Against Fake News; Proposes Embedded Information Campaign In School Curriculum

Regin Olimberio

Apple big boss Tim Cook appeals to governments to launch measures against fake news that are proliferating the internet nowadays. Cook calls fake news as information that "kills people's minds."

Cook stressed that governments should identify where fake reports are emanating and proactively take them down. A crackdown should be implemented both by the governments around the globe and technology firms.

Fabricated online stories or commonly known as fake news are steering people towards propaganda rather than educated analysis of daily events. The usual gist of these fake news is not anymore limited to the taboo or paranormal events but also targets government leaders and prominent figures as well, Cook stressed in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

To recall, one of the biggest example of fake news proliferation happened during the US electoral campaign where made-up stories gained traction, CBSNews said. There are some points where these stories swerved from the satirical approach and instead tweaked to sound realistic, thus misguiding the general public into agenda-driven contents.

Cook said that the shortest route to curve these fake news is to ingrain the idea in schools- a massive campaign where youngsters should be taught to properly scrutinize online contents before jumping into opinions. Cook tagged this plan as a modern version of public-service announcements.

The Apple big boss argued that schoolchildren are the easiest to educate at a certain age. He calls them "digital kids" who very much listen to what teachers are pitching in their lessons. This could also provide a domino effect where the digital kids will in turn educate their parents.

Meanwhile, Cook admits that efforts to obliterate fake news is easier said than done because it has a thin barrier that separates freedom of speech and of the press. Driving out made-up contents can be cracked but might also step into legitimate journalists. Eventually though, constant information drive can weed out sensationalized and fake contents so that outlets with deep portfolio for truthfulness can win.

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