IN an age without satellites or screens, truth travelled on foot. Messengers crossed deserts and battle lines to verify what was real. Even enemies trusted one another’s envoys for the sake of authentic news. Back then, information was sacred — its authenticity defined trust itself. Human behaviour has always danced to the rhythm of information. When the message carries peace, societies breathe in harmony. But when the news whispers of danger, anxiety seeps into the collective mind, reshaping how people think, act and respond. Likewise, if people receive information that supports their mental well-being, they live happier lives. Yet, exposure to negative information can lead to mental and psychological difficulties. In earlier times, the process of finding and passing on information felt more trustworthy. The sources remained largely known and the information could be verified through various checks. Then mass media emerged, spreading news through radio, TV and print. This gave people simple access to the most recent information.

The world was quickly transformed due to globalization. It connected societies, turning the world into a global village. The internet’s arrival paved the way for social media platforms to spread news instantly across the globe. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU, 2024) indicates that approximately 5.6 billion people use smartphones today and about 67% of the world’s population has internet access. This new level of connection has made information a weapon available to anyone. This made........

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