Question

The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Manipulating information was a feature of history long before modern journalism established rules of integrity. A record dates back to ancient Rome, when Antony met Cleopatra and his political enemy Octavian launched a smear campaign against him with "short, sharp slogans written upon coins." The perpetrator became the first Roman Emperor and "fake news had allowed Octavian to hack the republican system once and for all". But the 21st century has seen the weaponization of information on an unprecedented scale. Powerful new technology makes the fabrication of content simple, and social networks amplify falsehoods peddled by States, populist politicians, and dishonest corporate entities. The platforms have become fertile ground for computational propaganda, 'trolling' and 'troll armies'.

• A. People need to become critical of what they read, since historically, weaponization of information has led to corruption.
• B. Octavian used fake news to manipulate people and attain power and influence, just as people do today
• C. Disinformation, which is mediated by technology today, is not new and has existed since ancient times.
• D. Use of misinformation for attaining power, a practice that is as old as the Octavian era, is currently fueled by technology.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The passage explores the historical utilization of misinformation for political ends, tracing it back to ancient Rome with Octavian's smear campaign against Antony. It then underscores how the 21st century has witnessed an unparalleled expansion of information weaponization, facilitated by advanced technology and amplified through social networks. Option D effectively conveys the ongoing use of misinformation for political influence across different historical periods, now intensified by modern technology. Therefore, Option D is the appropriate choice.
Option A: This option emphasizes the importance of critical reading but does not explicitly highlight the historical context and the weaponization of information for power.
Option B: This option fails to emphasize the broader historical and contemporary context of misinformation for political purposes.
Option C: While the passage acknowledges the historical dimension of disinformation, it emphasizes the unprecedented scale in the 21st century, which is not captured in this option.

So, the correct option is (D): Use of misinformation for attaining power, a practice that is as old as the Octavian era, is currently fueled by technology.