AMO run in Graz: False reports put innocent people in danger!

AMO run in Graz: False reports put innocent people in danger!

Leibnitz, Österreich - A killing spree in Graz not only triggered a wave of the horror, but also led to frightening false reports about an innocent young man from Leibnitz. The 21-year-old perpetrator was quickly identified, but unfortunately not without the spread of falsehoods on the net that made the young Leibnitzer a target as potential perpetrators. Insulting and even threats to murder met the innocent adolescent, who desperately turned to the police and the ORF. This reports [MeinDzeirk] (https://www.meinbezirk.at/leibnitz/c-lokales/online-hetze- against-not-amoklauf_a7375658?ref=curate).

Unfortunately, this incident shows how quickly rumors and false information can spread on the Internet. Even after the real perpetrator has died, the agitation and defamation against the young man continue. Digital expert Ingrid Brodnig criticizes the lack of media literacy and the lack of meaning for self -reflection in society. It demands more education in schools, especially in 'digital basic education' in order to better prepare the next generations for such challenges.

The importance of media literacy

The fate of the young Leibnitzer is not an isolated case. Since the US elections in 2016, the distribution of online information and "fake news" has become more and more the focus of the public. In the so-called "interactive internet" (web 2.0), users can easily publish content, which often leads to a lot of distorted information that is difficult to distinguish from the truth. According to an analysis by [bpb.de] (https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalism/digitale-desinformation/290527/kritic-Medienkompetenz-als-saeuler--derben-in-zeiten- von-fake-news- and-online-desinformation Dealing with misinformation that increases particularly strongly in times of crisis.

Brodnig also points out that threats on the Internet are crimes and that many are not aware of this. FC Großklein, in whose team the affected young man plays, reacted to the incidents and switched on a lawyer. Particularly noteworthy is an emotional video that has been viewed 300,000 times within 24 hours and divided over 2,500 times. In this video, it is urgently called on to better inform yourself before believing in messages and questioning false reports.

False reports recognize and act

Often people are faced with emotional and lurid news that have the potential to cause negative feelings such as fear and anger. Deutschlandfunk reports that fake news often pursues certain interests and are particularly viral, especially in times of crisis. The public discussion about disinformation should be heated, because protection against such statements requires active action by the users.

A survey carried out in 2023 showed that almost half of Internet users in Germany had come across false or unbelievable information. The ability to critically question information, to compare different sources and to check the sender of the news, become a need in today's media landscape.

in a world in which the spread of information is so fast, it is more important than ever to look critically and to sharpen your own media literacy. Brodnig is the advice of questioning emotions and adhering to trustworthy media sources. This is the only way to create a fairer and more informed society that is able to fight against the wave of disinformation.