Many Already Report Encountering Fake Election News
Ahead of November’s Presidential vote, a clear majority of Americans say made-up news and information pose a serious problem for the 2024 election. For many, this view is shaped by personal experience: fully half of Americans report already encountering news about politics or the election that they suspect was fake or incorrect.
Worried about the veracity of information they encounter, many Americans are checking the facts themselves – most often by consulting additional news sources or conducting web searches. Individuals who rely on social media for political news are the most likely to consult secondary sources to verify information they encounter.
Despite a substantial share of Americans conducting their own fact-checks, the prevailing view is that media outlets and journalists should bear the chief responsibility for ensuring that news and information they report is accurate. Relatively few say the burden of truth should be borne by either social media companies or the government.
These are among the key insights from a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 and above, conducted in collaboration with Ipsos U.S. Public Affairs between March 2 and 3, 2024.
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