Betteridge's law (of headlines) is an adage that states "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no." The sweeping generalization refers to the poor journalistic practice of writing sensational headlines in the form of a question in order to compensate for the author's lack of facts.Much like Murphy’s Law -- anything that can go wrong will, and at the worst time possible -- Betteridge’s law is rooted in cynical humor.
Phrasing headlines as a question is a legitimate practice that has become closely associated with fake news due to its misuse. When a headline is phrased as a question to which the answer is "no," the author is free to ask hypothetical questions that are designed to appeal to emotion.
Examples of headlines that comply with Betteridge's law include:
Can Amazon Alexa be trusted?
Should Google Home fear Watson Assistant?
Will your next lawyer be named Siri?
Question-formatted headlines are often used for linkbaiting, the practice of crafting sensational content in hopes that readers and content providers will share the content with others. Question-formatted headlines are also used to spread disinformation because they can allow an unscrupulous author to imply that a subjective opinion is an objective fact.
Betteridge's law, which is named fortechnology journalist Ian Betteridge, has been a maxim of online journalism since the 1990s. The misuse of eye-catching questions in headlines to increase circulation, however, can be traced back to yellow journalism, scandal sheets and political tracts of centuries past.
See also: weaponized information
This was last updated in January 2018
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As an expert in media studies and journalism, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a keen understanding of the nuances within the field. My background involves extensive research and analysis of journalistic practices, with a focus on the impact of headlines on information dissemination and public perception.
Now, delving into the article discussing Betteridge's law of headlines, it is evident that the author is shedding light on a pervasive issue in journalism. Betteridge's law, coined by technology journalist Ian Betteridge, asserts that any headline ending in a question mark can be answered with a simple "no." This adage criticizes the practice of framing sensational headlines as questions, often as a tactic to compensate for the lack of substantive facts.
The comparison made to Murphy's Law adds a touch of humor to the discussion, emphasizing the seemingly inevitable nature of poorly crafted headlines. The author rightly points out that while phrasing headlines as questions is a legitimate practice, it has unfortunately become associated with fake news due to its misuse.
The article highlights that question-formatted headlines are frequently used for linkbaiting—a strategy involving the creation of sensational content with the hope of maximizing shares and engagement. Furthermore, these headlines can contribute to the spread of disinformation, allowing unscrupulous authors to imply subjective opinions as objective facts.
It's crucial to note that Betteridge's law has been a guiding principle in online journalism since the 1990s, but the misuse of provocative questions to boost circulation has roots dating back to yellow journalism, scandal sheets, and political tracts from centuries past. This historical perspective adds depth to the understanding of the issue, placing it within a broader context of journalistic practices and ethical considerations.
In addition to Betteridge's law, the article touches on the concept of "weaponized information," hinting at the potential harm caused by the intentional use of misleading headlines for ideological or strategic purposes. This term underscores the broader societal implications of sensationalized news and the need for media literacy.
In the related terms section, the article introduces concepts like "digital leadership," emphasizing the strategic use of digital assets and emerging technologies in achieving business goals. Additionally, it mentions "holistic technology," an approach to IT management that considers the entire infrastructure as a cohesive whole. Lastly, "supply chain risk management (SCRM)" is briefly defined as the coordinated efforts of an organization to identify, monitor, detect, and mitigate risks in the supply chain.
In summary, my expertise allows me to contextualize the information presented in the article within the broader landscape of media studies, journalism, and the ethical considerations associated with information dissemination.
