Conclusion
The way we discover, understand, and share facts is constantly evolving. Traditional sources—including books, encyclopaedias, or newspapers—continue to play a role, but are not as central as they once were to seeking out new information. As the internet and social media continue to become embedded in how we teach, work, and inform, digital platforms are now for many the first port of call when looking for the facts.
With the rise of these sources, and in the context of high numbers sharing the content they find there as factually accurate, especially in emerging economies such as India, come new questions about how we verify the information we discover—and how the spread of either willful or unintentional disinformation can be prevented.
Differentiating between fact and fiction is increasingly difficult, with the unprecedented events of the last two years adding to the debate around fake news. The pandemic has made us more cautious about the accuracy of information we encounter and there remains much uncertainty around how we can identify the truth. Although the majority of us turn to the internet when seeking out new knowledge, it appears that we still primarily rely on the experts when it comes to deciding what is credible or otherwise.
Inconsistent responses in our research highlight a global picture of confusion and suggest that we do not necessarily have a clear perspective on what facts are, if they are permanent or ever-changing, and whether they should be open to interpretation or the same for everyone.
As a publisher, we have a valuable role to play in championing the importance of quality research and enabling access to accurate, trustworthy information. While the state of truth may be blurred sometimes, we have the ability to open people’s minds to new ideas and concepts, and help people of all ages to learn, understand, and think critically about the past and present.
In a world where we have an ever-increasing number of sources to turn to for information, we should be encouraging people to consult as many as possible, and to question what is being shared as fact.
Our ambition is to empower people to make sense of the world around them, enable authors and experts to share their wide-ranging knowledge and perspectives, encourage open and honest discussion, and give people the tools to interrogate ideas and information with confidence. With these skills, we can help to inform and inspire future generations, and shape future society for the better.