Fake News on the Internet

Fake news has had significant societal impacts, spreading farther, faster, and more broadly than true news. This book provides a review of current research and presents six new empirical research studies examining its impact. Research shows that fake news spreads farther, faster, and more broadly than true news and can have the opposite effect of reducing it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Fake news has become a significant concern in recent years, with its impact being felt across the globe. Following events such as the 2016 Brexit referendum, three US elections, and the 2019 Indian lynchings, the public has become increasingly aware of the potential dangers of fake news. This misinformation undermines public life, particularly in countries where journalistic practices and institutions are weak. While some fake news is created with the intention of spreading ideological messages or causing mischief, others are created for profit. Research has shown that fake news spreads faster, farther, and more broadly than true news, and has had major societal impacts.

The prevalence of fake news is expected to worsen as political activists, scammers, alternative news media, and hostile governments become more sophisticated in their production and targeting of fake news. This book features leading scholars who provide a review of the current research and present six new empirical research studies examining its impact. Some of this research highlights the unintended consequences of inventions designed to reduce fake news, such as increasing its spread. Other research takes a longer-term perspective, measuring or inserting emotions into headlines, allowing us to examine some of the roots of fake news behaviors for future study.

The challenge of solving the fake news phenomenon is evident, as it requires a multifaceted approach. This book will be a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Media Studies, Research Methods, Information Systems, Communication Studies, Management, Cultural Studies, and Sociology. The chapters included in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Management Information Systems.

Weight: 571g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032561127