Opinions of Internet users on fake news (research report)

Elżbieta Subocz

Katedra Socjologii, Instytut Politologii, Wydział Nauk Społecznych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4869-1966

Małgorzata Solarska

Instytut Filozofii, Wydział Humanistyczny, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie


Abstract

Fake news is becoming increasingly prevalent in mass media and poses a significant threat to various aspects of society, including individual, political, economic, cultural, and health domains. Current events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, demonstrate the harmful effects of disinformation on the real world. This article presents the findings of an empirical study conducted on a sample of 110 internet users to understand their attitudes towards fake news. The study aimed to explore how internet users perceive fake news, its forms, and the risks associated with believing false information. The research results demonstrate that the respondents had a good understanding of the concept of fake news and its dangers. Most of the respondents reported attempting to verify the information they read by cross-checking it with multiple sources of information.


Keywords:

fake news, mass media, COVID-19 pandemic, Internet, threats

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Published
2023-10-04

Cited by

Subocz, E., & Solarska , M. (2023). Opinions of Internet users on fake news (research report). Media - Culture - Social Communication, (19). https://doi.org/10.31648/mkks.8280

Elżbieta Subocz 
Katedra Socjologii, Instytut Politologii, Wydział Nauk Społecznych, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4869-1966
Małgorzata Solarska  
Instytut Filozofii, Wydział Humanistyczny, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie