CAT 2023 Slot 1 VARC · Question 23
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.Disinformation, which is mediated by technology today, is not new and has existed since ancient times.
- B.People need to become critical of what they read, since historically, weaponization of information has led to corruption.
- C.Use of misinformation for attaining power, a practice that is as old as the Octavian era, is currently fueled by technology.
- D.Octavian used fake news to manipulate people and attain power and influence, just as people do today.
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