A Real Plague: Fake News
Weber Shandwick, in partnership with Powell Tate and KRC Research, released A Real Plague: Fake News. The research is a supplement to our seventh Civility in America survey.
A Real Plague: Fake News finds that the proliferation of fake news weighs heavily on the minds of Americans. More than eight in 10 Americans (82%) are concerned about the impact fake news might have on the credibility of news and information they receive from the media. Seven in 10 (70%) believe they have read a fake news story and 71% think fake news contributes to incivility in society. More than half of Americans (58%) believe the level of civility in our nation could be improved if social media sites and search engines curbed fake news.
Americans blame a combination of sources for the spread of fake news. They most frequently point to the media, social media and political entities as the top sources of blame. Few Americans see themselves as responsible for the spread of fake news. Only 9% say they have ever shared a fake news story online.
Weber Shandwick advises organizations in building and protecting their reputations based on trust, transparency and integrity and helps them navigate this new world in which fake news proliferates. The firm is also committed to using its convening power to bring industry stakeholders across media and marketing together to begin to discuss ways to combat fake news.
Click here to view the full report.