Why Is It Easier to Believe Hoaxes Than Facts?
By: Dio Andre Nusa, Librarian at Nusa Mandiri University
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – In the digital age, the speed of information often outweighs its accuracy. In a matter of seconds, a sensational headline can spread widely, be commented on, shared, and even believed without ever being properly read, let alone verified.
This is the paradox of the digital age: information is abundant, but critical thinking is often lacking. As a librarian, I see hoaxes not just as a technological issue, but as a literacy and critical thinking issue.
Many people, including the educated, are easily misled by hoaxes not because they are unintelligent, but because they are accustomed to reacting quickly without taking the time to think critically. Provocative headlines often feel more “convincing” than factual data.
Social media exacerbates this situation. Anyone can now be an information producer without undergoing the processes of editing and verification. As a result, the digital space is filled with opinions, out-of-context snippets, and emotional narratives packaged as facts.
When information comes in a constant stream, the habit of checking sources is gradually abandoned. Psychological factors also play a significant role. Information that aligns with personal beliefs or evokes emotions such as anger, fear, or sympathy is more easily accepted and shared.
Hoaxes understand how human emotions work, while facts are often less appealing because they require time to understand. This is where information literacy becomes key. Literacy is not just the ability to read text, but the ability to sort, analyse, compare, and evaluate the truth of information.
Without strong literacy skills, we are easily manipulated, even when living in an age of advanced technology. As a Digital Business Campus, Nusa Mandiri University (UNM) views digital literacy as an essential competency, not just an add-on.
The campus must do more than just teach how to use technology; it must also cultivate critical thinking skills in the use of information. Students need to be equipped with the courage to ask about the source, the data, and the purpose for which this information is being disseminated.
The library has a strategic role in this ecosystem. The library is not just a place to store books, but a space for literacy education.
Through its collection of scientific journals, academic books, and curated sources, the library provides a credible alternative amidst the noise of viral information. This is where students are trained to return to data, research, and accountable arguments.
Combating hoaxes requires more than just filtering technology or clarification. More importantly, it requires building a culture of critical thinking. Students, as an intellectual group, should be information filters for their environment, rather than being links in the chain of spreading hoaxes.
Ultimately, literacy is a long-term investment. With strong digital literacy, the support of a modern library, and an adaptive campus ecosystem, UNM is committed to producing graduates who are not only technologically proficient but also wise in their approach to information.
In the midst of a flood of hoaxes, the ability to think critically is the true advantage.