Amy Watson
Research expert covering media
In an age where the internet is the main source of news and information for many consumers worldwide, news audiences are at higher risk than ever of encountering and sharing false news. Every day, consumers all over the world read, watch, or listen to the news online for updates on everything from their favorite celebrity to their preferred political candidate, and often take for granted that what they find is truthful and reliable. For many audiences, navigating the news media landscape is becoming difficult, and has even led to consumers around the globe actively avoiding the news altogether.
When it comes to the spread of false news, social media the main culprit. Although social media has been the least trusted news source globally since 2016, a study revealed that that over 50 percent of responding internet users in 23 different countries use social networks as a way to keep up to date. Younger consumers are often at greater risk of exposure to fake news than older generations by sheer virtue of their higher social media usage. This issue was highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic.
This is especially harmful when the content pertains to matters concerning public health and other key topics. Long after the height of the pandemic, unverified COVID-19 information continues to circulate. In early 2023, over 40 percent of U.S. news consumers saw false information about COVID-19 in the week running up to the survey. The same study revealed that 45 percent of Slovakians saw false news about the war in neighboring Ukraine, the highest among all surveyed countries. Consumers had also seen false information about climate change and politics.
Unfortunately, false news has no ‘quick fix’ and developing an awareness of it and improving one’s ability to identify false information is a must for regular news consumers. By reporting suspicious content, only using reputable news sources, and making an effort to fact-check information, every individual can in a small way work towards achieving a safer news environment.
Dissemination and consumption
Identifying false news is made more difficult by the fact that it is rapidly becoming an industry of its own, with individuals paid to write sensationalist stories and create clickbait content to increase site traffic. Misinformation (misleading information presented as fact) and disinformation (intentionally false information) can be made to look legitimate and can reach thousands of users in a matter of minutes.When it comes to the spread of false news, social media the main culprit. Although social media has been the least trusted news source globally since 2016, a study revealed that that over 50 percent of responding internet users in 23 different countries use social networks as a way to keep up to date. Younger consumers are often at greater risk of exposure to fake news than older generations by sheer virtue of their higher social media usage. This issue was highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic.
False news in current affairs
A global survey revealed that although most Gen Z and Millennial news consumers ignored or reported fake news about COVID-19, some chose to share the content they encountered. Either knowingly or unknowingly, many consumers see misleading news and pass it on to someone else, putting even the savviest news audiences at risk.This is especially harmful when the content pertains to matters concerning public health and other key topics. Long after the height of the pandemic, unverified COVID-19 information continues to circulate. In early 2023, over 40 percent of U.S. news consumers saw false information about COVID-19 in the week running up to the survey. The same study revealed that 45 percent of Slovakians saw false news about the war in neighboring Ukraine, the highest among all surveyed countries. Consumers had also seen false information about climate change and politics.
Unfortunately, false news has no ‘quick fix’ and developing an awareness of it and improving one’s ability to identify false information is a must for regular news consumers. By reporting suspicious content, only using reputable news sources, and making an effort to fact-check information, every individual can in a small way work towards achieving a safer news environment.
