The dialectics of fake news: Bassmatwatan: the Bin Laden sketch - a case in study

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to better understand the history of fake news and its evolution from the old times, starting with the storytelling technique, until today, with the social media and the internet. In order to clarify the idea of fake news and its impact on the audience, a sketch was picked from the Lebanese satire program, previously aired on LBCI, Bassmat watan, in order to study it. The case study was revolving around the sketch of Oussama Bin Laden in the mentioned program and the perception of the audience through the message that is transmitted by the media. The study aimed to develop a wider comprehension of the humors political satire programs’ effects and to determine whether or not they could impact in the real world. While finishing the study, it was concluded that when the media is spreading the fake story, it is not necessarily aware that it is false. Verifying stories is a hard process and it is a duty since the media can and does affect the decision-making of the audience.