Causes and consequences of mainstream media dissemination of fake news: literature review and synthesis

Yariv Tsfati; H.G. Boomgaarden; J. Strömbäck; R. Vliegenthart; A. Damstra; E. Lindgren

doi:10.1080/23808985.2020.1759443

Causes and consequences of mainstream media dissemination of fake news: literature review and synthesis

Yariv Tsfati^*, H.G. Boomgaarden, J. Strömbäck, R. Vliegenthart, A. Damstra, E. Lindgren

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

178 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Research indicates that the reach of fake news websites is limited to small parts of the population. On the other hand, data demonstrate that large proportions of the public know about notable fake news stories and believe them. These findings imply the possibility that most people hear about fake news stories not from fake news websites but through their coverage in mainstream news outlets. Thus far, only limited attention has been directed to the role of mainstream media in the dissemination of disinformation. To remedy this, this article synthesizes the literature pertaining to understand the role mainstream media play in the dissemination of fake news, the reasons for such coverage and its influences on the audience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	157-173
Number of pages	17
Journal	Annals of the International Communication Association
Volume	44
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2020.1759443
Publication status	Published - 2 Apr 2020
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

disinformation
fact checking
Fake news

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10.1080/23808985.2020.1759443Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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AU - Damstra, A.

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AB - Research indicates that the reach of fake news websites is limited to small parts of the population. On the other hand, data demonstrate that large proportions of the public know about notable fake news stories and believe them. These findings imply the possibility that most people hear about fake news stories not from fake news websites but through their coverage in mainstream news outlets. Thus far, only limited attention has been directed to the role of mainstream media in the dissemination of disinformation. To remedy this, this article synthesizes the literature pertaining to understand the role mainstream media play in the dissemination of fake news, the reasons for such coverage and its influences on the audience.

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Causes and consequences of mainstream media dissemination of fake news: literature review and synthesis

Abstract

Keywords

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