The Nudging Effect of Accuracy Alerts for Combating the Diffusion of Misinformation: Algorithmic News Sources, Trust in Algorithms, and Users’ Discernment of Fake News

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Research has revealed that the diffusion of misinformation online can be attributed to inaccuracies in human cognitive reasoning. We examine the nudging effect of Accuracy Alerts on users’ ability to discern misinformation and how their trust moderates this effect. The results from a 2 (accuracy nudge: with nudge vs. no nudge) × 2 (news source type: algorithmic news vs. legacy non-algorithmic news) experiment showed significant main and interaction effects indicating that an algorithmic source effect is present in the process of nudge acceptance. Misinformation sharing intention was largely lower for legacy non-algorithmic news than algorithmic news, but there was a greater decrease in algorithmic news when nudging was employed.

ISSN

0883-8151

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Disciplines

Communication

Keywords

Misinformation, Social Media, Fact-checking, Accuracy Alerts

Scopus ID

85148523297

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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