Poll finds social media “breeding ground” for fake news

A new poll suggests social media social propagates fake news far more than word of mouth, the internet, television and newspaper combined.

This finding is despite the point that only 11% of the respondents in the survey by NOI Polls get their news on the internet. Only 2% get their news from newspapers and 39% by radio.

Eleven in 100 people get their news via social media. The survey calls social media a “breeding ground” for fake news.

The researchers say the tendence to scrutinize the authenticity of news reports before sharing has “been greatly reduced as some social media users want to be among the first to share a news story, be it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or WhatsApp.”

“This trend of sharing news report without validating its source is capable of triggering mob action, agitation, violence and in extreme cases, national security implications.

Yet almost 74% of participants rated Faceboook, Twitter and Instagram and news blog with higher levels of trust in passing authentic information, farm higher than for television, radio and newspapers.

Interest in fake news—and its consequences—is growing as elections draw nearer.

Some 35% of respondents believe fake news can cause hatred and violence. Lower proportions of respondents cite causes to include insecurity, instability and panic.

Only 1% linked fake news to economic instability