Who's to Blame? Asia's Social Media Problem

A new report says social media is a major source of news in Asia. But it is also the top source of misinformation. This creates a serious problem for the public. The study comes from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. It surveyed people in 47 countries. In many Asian nations, over half of the people use social media for news weekly. However, trust in news from these platforms is very low. The report identifies a key issue: the "platformization" of news. This means social media companies control how news is distributed. But these companies often avoid responsibility for the content on their sites. Experts say this system rewards content that gets strong reactions, like anger or shock. False information often spreads faster this way. The problem is worse in places with less independent media. So, who is responsible? The report suggests a shared blame. Platforms design the systems that spread misinformation. Publishers sometimes use sensational headlines to attract clicks. And users share content without checking if it is true. The report calls for action. It says governments should support independent journalism. Platforms must be more transparent. And the public needs better media literacy skills to tell fact from fiction online.