Week 5

Question 1

4 possible fake news fixes

Answer 1

1. fact checking
2. media literacy
3. changes to platform’s algorithm
4. government regulation

Question 2

5 reasons why trust in news is diminishing

Answer 2

1. Commercialisation & fragmentation of news
   - Van Aelst et al: High choice media environment
2. Ideology: extremism, polarization
   - Hostile Media Effect
3. Cultural shift towards individualism/neo-liberalism
4. Technological changes: social/digital media, deep fakes
5. Algorithms, rogue actors

Question 3

people who are more likely to be exposed and share fake news

Answer 3

• Republicans
• Older people
• Politically interested users

Question 4

Prior Attitude Effect

Answer 4

perceiving new evidence and arguments that support your views as stronger and more persuasive than those that challenge them

Question 5

Backfire Effect

Answer 5

cognitive defensive mechanism/strategy. “…as a possible result of the process by which people counter argue preference-incongruent information and bolster their preexisting views.” = people will actually strengthen belief when presented with contrasting information

Question 6

Implied Truth Effect

Answer 6

people may believe that untagged fake news is true