Research Updates
Fact-Checking and Media Literacy Efforts Reduce Misinformation Belief, but Heighten Skepticism Toward Accurate Information
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour looked at how fact-checking and media literacy interventions affect people in the US, Poland, and Hong Kong. The study found that while these efforts were effective in reducing belief in false information, they also increased skepticism about accurate information. This unintended consequence highlights the challenge of maintaining trust in reliable health information amid efforts to combat misinformation. Health professionals may need to adopt nuanced strategies that minimize distrust while effectively addressing health misinformation in public communication.
Source: Hoes, E., Aitken, B., Zhang, J., Gackowski, T., & Wojcieszak, M. (2024). Prominent misinformation interventions reduce misperceptions but increase scepticism. Nature Human Behaviour, 1-9.
Impact of Misinformation Concerns on News Choices
A study from the Harvard Misinformation Review looked at how concerns about misinformation affect people’s news choices. The study found that that people who are more worried about false information tend to choose news that matches their political views. For example, liberals who are worried about misinformation tended to favor sources like MSNBC or the Huffington Post. Democrats were especially likely to favor news that matched their political views when worried about misinformation. Feeling confident about spotting false information did not change this behavior. These findings show how concerns about misinformation can lead people to only read news that aligns with their beliefs. This can deepen political divisions and make it more challenging to address false or misleading information in public discussions.
Source: Harris, E. A., DeMora, S. L., & Albarracín, D. (2024). The consequences of misinformation concern on media consumption. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review. https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-149
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