POST -TRUTH

 

This blog is written as part of the Sunday Reading task given to us by Professor Dr. Dilip Barad Sir.

What is Post - Truth?

 Basically Post -Truth means that people are more likely to believe something that feels right, even if it's not true.

According to Oxford Dictionary, 

The post -Truth defines as,

“relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”

Why the word ' Post -Truth' was chosen as the word of the year in 2016?

In 2016, Oxford Dictionaries selected "post-truth" as the international word of the year due to its significant rise in usage, particularly in the context of political events like the Brexit referendum and the US presidential election. The term describes a situation where objective facts are less influential than appeals to emotion and personal belief. The increased usage reflected a growing distrust of established institutions and a shift towards social media as a primary news source. 

 

How the Post -Truth phenomenon affects in human beings:-

The "post-truth" phenomenon significantly impacts individuals by eroding trust in institutions, fueling polarization, and making it harder to distinguish between facts and misinformation. This can lead to a decline in informed decision-making, increased susceptibility to manipulation, and a breakdown in social cohesion. 

Eroded Trust:

The post-truth era is characterized by a decline in trust in established institutions like media, government, and science.

This lack of trust makes it easier for misinformation and propaganda to spread, as people are less likely to critically evaluate information from trusted sources.

Some scholars suggest that this erosion of trust can lead to a sense of alienation and disengagement from civic life. 

Impact of Post Truth on Digital Tools:-

In a world increasingly filled with digital information, the term post-truth has become relevant to describe a social phenomenon where objective facts are often ignored and replaced by emotional beliefs or personal preferences. The term gained widespread attention when in 2016, Oxford Dictionaries named it Word of the Year. The post-truth phenomenon shows how public opinion is no longer formed by scientific facts or verified data, but is more influenced by emotions and subjective beliefs.

Influence of Post -Truth in 2025:-

In 2025, the influence of "post-truth" continues to be a significant factor in shaping public discourse, impacting political landscapes, and eroding trust in institutions. This is characterized by the rise of misinformation and disinformation, where emotional appeals and subjective narratives often overshadow factual accuracy and evidence-based reasoning. The proliferation of social media and the decline of traditional media gatekeepers contribute to the spread of both legitimate and misleading information, making it challenging for individuals to discern truth from falsehood. 

Political Polarization and Fragmentation:

Post-truth rhetoric often fuels political polarization, with individuals increasingly aligning themselves with information sources that reinforce their pre-existing beliefs, regardless of factual accuracy.

This can lead to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles, where people are primarily exposed to information that confirms their worldview, further exacerbating divisions and making it harder to find common ground. 

Conclusion :

The post-truth era marks a time when emotions, personal beliefs, and misinformation often outweigh objective facts in shaping public opinion. While it reflects deep changes in communication, politics, and society, it also reveals serious challenges — from the erosion of trust in institutions to the rise of polarization and misinformation.

To move beyond the dangers of the post-truth age, societies must reinvest in truth-seeking values: critical thinking, media literacy, fact-based education, and ethical leadership. Only through collective awareness and responsibility can we restore the importance of truth in public life and protect democracy, justice, and informed citizenship.

References 

https://www.acigjournal.com/Post-Truth-

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11217-024-09979-8