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

Department of Communication

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

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
State	Published - 2 Apr 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Fake news
disinformation
fact checking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication

Access to Document

10.1080/23808985.2020.1759443

Cite this

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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