Facebook or Fakebook? How users’ perceptions of ‘fake news’ are related to their evaluation and verification of news on Facebook

Philipp Müller; Anne Schulz

doi:10.5771/2192-4007-2019-4-547

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis
- 431–445 EDITORIAL 431–445
  - Countering misinformation: Strategies, challenges, and uncertainties Christina Peter, Thomas Koch Christina Peter, Thomas Koch
- 446–546 FULL PAPER 446–546
  - 446–470 Doubters are more convincing than advocates. The impact of user comments and ratings on credibility perceptions of false news stories on social media Jan P . Kluck, Leonie Schaewitz, Nicole C . Krämer Jan P . Kluck, Leonie Schaewitz, Nicole C . Krämer 446–470
  - 471–496 Detecting misinformation in online social networks: A think-aloud study on user strategies Isabelle Freiling Isabelle Freiling 471–496
  - 497–522 Nothing’s gonna change my world – Or do journalistic clarifications help against rumors? Johanna Radechovsky, Priscila Berger, Jens Wolling Johanna Radechovsky, Priscila Berger, Jens Wolling 497–522
  - 523–546 Susceptibility to mis- and disinformation and the effectiveness of fact-checkers: Can misinformation be effectively combated? Michael Hameleers Michael Hameleers 523–546
- 547–559 RESEARCH-IN-BRIEF 547–559
  - Facebook or Fakebook? How users’ perceptions of ‘fake news’ are related to their evaluation and verification of news on Facebook Philipp Müller, Anne Schulz Philipp Müller, Anne Schulz
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SCM Studies in Communication and Media , page 547 - 559

Facebook or Fakebook? How users’ perceptions of ‘fake news’ are related to their evaluation and verification of news on Facebook

Autoren

Philipp Müller Anne Schulz

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/2192-4007-2019-4-547
- ISSN: 2192-4007
- ISSN online: 2192-4007
Abstract

Research suggests that Facebook’s reputation as a news source is in decline. One reason for this development might be found in how users perceive their own exposure to alleged ‘fake news’ - a phenomenon which has been strongly linked to Facebook in public debate. Using a quota survey of German Internet users (n = 743) we investigate how users’ self-perceived exposure to ‘fake news’ and the ‘fake news’ debate are related to their evaluation and verification of political information on Facebook. Results indicate that the evaluation of Facebook as a news source is independent of users’ perceptions of their total amount of exposure to ‘fake news’ or the ‘fake news’ debate. However, individuals who feel they encounter many ‘fake news’ from traditional news sources evaluate Facebook more positively. Contrary to that, those who believe that the ‘fake news’ they are exposed to originate in alternative sources evaluate Facebook less positively and also engage in verification behaviors more frequently. Moreover, verification is predicted by the overall level of perceived ‘fake news’ exposure and, most strongly, by exposure to the ‘fake news’ debate. Findings are discussed in light of recent research on news audience polarization.
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