Studies in Communication, Media (Dec 2019)
Facebook or Fakebook? How users’ perceptions of ‘fake news’ are related to their evaluation and verification of news on Facebook
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.