The phenomenon of fake news, or “fake news”, has become a significant problem in various sectors, including the poultry industry. This misinformation can have serious consequences, affecting public perception and causing considerable economic damage.
In the poultry sector, fake news can range from baseless claims about the safety of poultry products to conspiracy theories about farming practices. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, false reports were spread linking chicken and egg consumption to the virus, causing a drastic drop in demand and severe economic losses for producers. This type of misinformation not only damages the industry, but can also lead to harmful behaviour such as mass killing of chickens by farmers, as happened in India.
Another example of misinformation in the sector is the question of the authenticity of “free-range” chicken. There have been reports of chicken suppliers suspected of mixing chickens raised in confined spaces with free-range poultry, thus compromising the integrity of the product and misleading consumers. This “information” has then proved not to be true, however these episodes of misinformation not only highlight the vulnerability of the poultry industry to fake news, But they also raise ethical questions about the responsibility of activists and media to spread accurate information. It is essential that consumers have access to truthful information so they can make informed decisions about the food they eat.
To tackle fake news, a multi-faceted approach is needed that includes consumer education, media verification of information and stricter regulation of labelling and advertising practices in the poultry sector. It is also important that animal rights and environmental activists operate transparently and base their campaigns on sound scientific data, avoiding the dissemination of misleading information which can harm both industry and consumers. It would be desirable for the activists to realize that their views could also be a source of useful suggestions for the sector, which In the past, he has been able to consider some criticisms of his work and turn them into benefits for both animals and consumers. Criticism is always well received if it is carried with grace and concreteness. The poultry system today is much better than 70 years ago and it is because the sector itself is constantly in the logic of perfecting every single aspect of the farms.
In conclusion, fake news is a significant challenge for the poultry industry and society as a whole. Tackling this problem requires commitment and collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure that the information reaching the public is reliable and fact-based.
