Perceived Versus Actual Ability to Identify Fake News: Evidence From Israel’s 2019–2020 Elections

Authors

  • Moran Yarchi Reichman University
  • Tal Samuel-Azran Reichman University
  • Tsahi (Zack) Hayat Reichman University

Keywords:

fake news, election campaigns, misinformation perception, fake news identification, Dunning-Kruger effect

Abstract

A less studied topic about fake news is the gap between the perceived and actual ability to identify it. This study examines the topic using a panel survey during Israel’s 2019–2020 election campaigns (Wave 1—N = 1,427; Wave 2—N = 758). Our research, which measured participants’ perceived ability to identify fake news during the April 2019 elections and their actual ability to do so during the September 2019 elections, allowed us to measure the gap between the two. Our analysis reveals that although various political and media variables predict citizens’ perceived ability to identify fake news, most of those indicators are not useful in explaining their actual ability to do so. The gap between the two is explained by political interest and exposure to diverse sources. In addition, we examine the Dunning-Kruger effect, focusing on the overestimation versus the underestimation of fake news identification. The findings indicate that the high political interest and knowledge, alongside high news exposure from diverse sources, leads people to feel complacent and fails people in fake news identification.

Author Biographies

Moran Yarchi, Reichman University

Moran Yarchi (PhD, Hebrew University) is the Head of the Digital Influence & Perceptions specialization at the School of Communications, the Head of the Public Diplomacy program at the Reichman University (Interdisciplinary Center) Herzliya, Israel. Her main area of research is political communication, especially the media’s coverage of conflicts and terror, public diplomacy, and election campaigns.

Tal Samuel-Azran, Reichman University

Tal Samuel-Azran (PhD, University of Melbourne ; MA, New York University) is the Head of the international program at the Sammy Ofer School of Communications.  His main fields of research are political communication, new media, public diplomacy and media globalization.

Tsahi (Zack) Hayat, Reichman University

Tsahi (Zack) Hayat is the head of the marketing specialization at the Sammy Ofer School of Communication, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel. Dr. Hayat completed his PhD at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto. Dr. Hayat's research focuses on new technologies; and how they enable or hinder the transfer of different resources within social networks. Dr. Hayat publications cover topics such as networked work, innovations, social support, and social network theory and methods. 

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Published

2023-07-28

Issue

Vol. 17 (2023)

Section

Articles

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