Most Americans who see fake news believe it
An Ipsos poll for Buzzfeed reveals the gullibility of those who see fake news.
Click here for reuse options!Fake news headlines fool American adults about 75% of the time, according to a large-scale new survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for BuzzFeed News.
The survey also found that people who cite Facebook as a major source of news are more likely to view fake news headlines as accurate than those who rely less on the platform for news.
This survey is the first large-scale public opinion research study into the fake news phenomenon that has had a sweeping effect on global politics, and that recently caused a gunman to threaten a DC pizza place. The results paint a picture of news consumers with little ability to evaluate the headlines that often fly toward them without context on social media platforms. They also — surprisingly — suggest that consumers are likely to believe even false stories that don’t fit their ideological bias. And the survey calls into question the notion — which Facebook has reportedly begun testing — that consumers themselves can do the work of distinguishing between real and fake news.
Copyright 2016 Liberaland
20 responses to Most Americans who see fake news believe it
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mea_mark December 7th, 2016 at 09:21
A good article on why people believe fake news/tRumps lies … http://www.businessinsider.com/why-people-believe-trump-lies-and-conspiracy-theories-2016-12 … I highly recommend reading this.
Mensa Member December 7th, 2016 at 10:07
I skimmed it and you are right. It seems like a very good article. I’ll bookmark it and read it more carefully later.
Basically, the author argue that we are genetically predispositioned to be fearful first and thoughtful later.
Obewon December 7th, 2016 at 09:28
Problem solved with WaPo, PolitiFact, et al Pulitzer Prize winning journalistic integrity requiring three independent sources. Verses LMAO at dumb people unaware that ‘If it looks too good to be true. It is too good to be true.’
“People who cite Facebook as a major source of news are more likely to view fake news headlines as accurate.”-just like buying lottery tickets in a critical thinking free barrel.
Foundryman December 7th, 2016 at 09:48
Considering the fact that they do actually believe the fake news, the left should use it to their advantage. Create fake right wing news sites, put up true right wing news to make them look like the idiots they are. Instead of making up stories about Obama and Hillary, report the truth about Trump, every day he says or does something so removed from logic and common sense, it’s hard to believe it’s actually true.
While right wing fake sites are busy telling lies about dems, the left wing fake sites could be telling the truth about Trump, which Fox and the right wing propaganda machine never do.
Mensa Member December 7th, 2016 at 10:02
I once lived in a country often called a “failed state.”
One chronic problem was uncritical belief in crazy rumors and conspiracy theories. This would lead them to vote for the absolute worst leaders. Leaders who told the truth were too nuanced.
That country reminds me of the Republican party. I’m dead serious about this.
oldfart December 7th, 2016 at 10:10
well well well,
Most of the people, most of the time.
And we know what they’re called…
anothertoothpick December 7th, 2016 at 10:35
Fake news That Altered U.S. History
Red Scare/McCarthyism
For men like Joseph McCarthy, there was only answer to the menacing spread of communism across the globe and the specter of atomic death: Communists had infiltrated America.
It’s a shame no one stood up and shouted, “Liar, liar pants on fire.” No one did and McCarthy’s four years of terror warped America in ways unimaginable.
Jack E Raynbeau December 7th, 2016 at 11:29
For a fine example go here and read the comments:
https://www.facebook.com/thelastlineofdefense/?fref=nf
The stories are absure, they call themselves an entertainment website and they have a disclaimer that said it’s non factual and people still believe it. The comments are priceless.
Suzanne McFly December 7th, 2016 at 12:26
Wow, I read a few comments and those people have been sold a tub full of $hit and bought it hook, line, and sinker.
Suzanne McFly December 7th, 2016 at 12:23
If I see a story that seems far fetched, I google it and see how many other stories are claiming the same headline. If I don’t see any other stories, I assume it isn’t credible. That is why these stories are written to attract republicans, democrats aren’t dumb enough to fall for those ridiculous stories no matter how badly we want rump to be captured by a three headed alien with a big penis.
Red Mann December 7th, 2016 at 19:49
Often when someone posts a meme on FB that attacks the left, Google shows only RW fever swamp sites carrying the story, they just pass it around and the goobers believe it.
Suzanne McFly December 8th, 2016 at 14:43
I have smacked back a couple of posts that I seen one of my “friends” posted on FB. I have deleted some of these people who just seem to far out there for me to have any possibility of reaching with some common sense.
amersham1046 December 7th, 2016 at 14:38
Thank goodness for onion.con,–
a site than can be trusted
Deplorable E Neuman December 7th, 2016 at 15:08
CNN is the fakest of them all
Hirightnow December 7th, 2016 at 22:34
Not according to all of the experts, who say that the honor belongs to Fox.
(Breitbart would have that distinction, but really, the last time they got anything right was when they spelled “Breitbart” correctly; no sane person calls what they put out “news”).
bpollen December 7th, 2016 at 22:52
And everybody knows that YOU are the only one who could make that call…
Who needs experts when we can listen to the figurehead of a comedy magazine?
Hirightnow December 7th, 2016 at 23:05
Odd that it uses that avatar, as MAD Magazine has always been subversive, pro individualism, and usually anti-government. Yet, it wants everyone to fall into step with its rich-boy savior.
These Trumpoon snowflakes, who cannot take criticism of their messiah, continue to puzzle me.
Guess I’ll have to meditate upon cognitive dissonance for a while…
bpollen December 7th, 2016 at 23:17
Screw meditating on cognitive dissonance; get into some sonic dissonance and ignore the fools.
Hirightnow December 7th, 2016 at 23:27
These guys?
Might do that…
bpollen December 8th, 2016 at 00:36
That’s more like it!