In Taiwan, a group called Fake News Cleaner is on a mission to combat the spread of disinformation that is impacting the lives of many, especially the older generation. With just one formal employee and a team of volunteers, the group has hosted over 500 events, reaching out to college students, elementary school children, and seniors who are most vulnerable to fake news.
The group sets up stalls in churches, temples, and parks, offering free bars of soap as a metaphor for scrubbing away the false narratives that can shape our lives. They engage with people, asking about their media consumption habits and teaching them techniques to identify and counter fake news.
Fake News Cleaner believes that addressing the gap in tech-savviness requires an old-school approach of going offline and educating people about the algorithms and norms that drive the platforms they use. The group has expanded its reach to include lectures at colleges, elementary schools, and community centers all across Taiwan.
The personal experience of the group’s co-founder, Melody Hsieh, in changing her father’s mind about gay marriage through patience and education, has shaped their approach to battling disinformation. By focusing on everyday topics like health, diet, and economic scams, Fake News Cleaner aims to empower people to think critically about the information they consume.
Through their efforts, the group is making a difference, one person at a time, in raising awareness about the dangers of misinformation in a society inundated with fake news. Their dedication to educating and empowering individuals to navigate the virtual world of misinformation is crucial in combating the spread of false narratives that can have real-life consequences.