Avoiding real news, believing in fake news? Investigating pathways from information overload to misbelief

Edson C. Tandoc; Hye Kyung Kim

doi:10.1177/14648849221090744

Avoiding real news, believing in fake news? Investigating pathways from information overload to misbelief

Edson C. Tandoc^*, Hye Kyung Kim

^*Corresponding author for this work

Nanyang Technological University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study sought to examine the potential role of news avoidance in belief in COVID-19 misinformation. Using two-wave panel survey data in Singapore, we found that information overload is associated with news fatigue as well as with difficulty in analyzing information. News fatigue and analysis paralysis also subsequently led to news avoidance, which increased belief in COVID-19 misinformation. However, this link is present only among those who are frequently exposed to misinformation about COVID-19.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1174-1192
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journalism
Volume	24
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849221090744
Publication status	Published - Jun 2023
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Communication
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

Keywords

COVID-19
fake news
information overload
misinformation
news avoidance

Access to Document

10.1177/14648849221090744

Cite this

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abstract = "This study sought to examine the potential role of news avoidance in belief in COVID-19 misinformation. Using two-wave panel survey data in Singapore, we found that information overload is associated with news fatigue as well as with difficulty in analyzing information. News fatigue and analysis paralysis also subsequently led to news avoidance, which increased belief in COVID-19 misinformation. However, this link is present only among those who are frequently exposed to misinformation about COVID-19.",

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Avoiding real news, believing in fake news? Investigating pathways from information overload to misbelief

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

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Study Results from Nanyang Technological University in the Area of COVID-19 Reported (Avoiding Real News, Believing In Fake News? Investigating Pathways From Information Overload To Misbelief)

Cite this

Avoiding real news, believing in fake news? Investigating pathways from information overload to misbelief

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Press/Media

Study Results from Nanyang Technological University in the Area of COVID-19 Reported (Avoiding Real News, Believing In Fake News? Investigating Pathways From Information Overload To Misbelief)

Cite this