Brands that are victims of fake news tend to have their brand reputation destroyed. The threat that fake news surrounding a brand presents is real as it tears down the level of trust that the public and the brand’s customers have for the brand. This threat does not only affects the public and the brand’s customers but other stakeholders who benefit from the services of the organization. To nip the menace of fake news in the bud, organizations should adopt good media management practices into their activities to protect their brand image.
Fake news is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation which is spread via traditional news media(print and broadcast) or online social media – Wikipedia.
It is also an invention that takes the appearance of the real news with the aim to deceive people.
Brands need to be aware that the publication of fake news about their organization can be destructive but not the end. Instead, brands should take necessary actions against news that is untrue.
Steps To Take When Tackling Fake News
Have An Action Plan
Fake news can often be destructive. Therefore, a brand has to be able to determine the areas where the news affects them and find out ways to respond to the news in order to project their image positively. To be on the safe side, consult PR firms who specialize in shutting down fake news.
Cultivate The Culture Of Being Transparent
When brands are considered as being honest and clear, it is easier to combat false allegations that may arise. Keep your employees and customers in the loop. This way, they will be aware of activities that happen within the brand. This will foster trust and brand loyalty within your consumers and stakeholders as they will be able to tag your brand as truthful.
Respond Calmly And Intelligently
If a fake story is published about your organization, address the story with members of your response team with evidence and facts that prove the story is untrue. Convey your message as calmly and intelligently as you can to be able to change people’s perspectives about your brand.
Seek Legal Counsel
It is best to seek legal counsel earlier to avoid more damage to your brand if a story was deliberately spread against your organization.
Build Relationships With Writers
Focus on building stronger relationships with writers within your niche. This way, they can easily contact you before any news that will affect your brand negatively will be published. They can go a step further to squash the story before it is published or create content to discredit it if it already made the news.