A new study published in the academic journal Journalism Studies has revealed a concerning trend – as the ability to distinguish fake news from real information has grown, so has people’s desire to avoid reading the news altogether. The study, based on data collected from nearly 1200 adult participants, found that individuals were intentionally avoiding the news due to concerns over what is true and what isn’t.
The research, conducted over three waves with the final wave collected shortly after the 2020 presidential election, highlighted that those with political leanings towards the Democratic Party were more likely to rely on nonpartisan news when feeling misinformed. On the other hand, politically conservative individuals were less likely to engage with news at all when concerns over misinformation arose.
Lead author Ariel Hasell, a U-M assistant professor of communication and media, noted that the increasingly confusing and crowded digital media environment was driving people away from news consumption and even discussions about politics. This paradoxical effect, where the abundance of information leads to avoidance, was particularly evident among white, conservative individuals using conservative media sources.
Hasell hypothesized that the low trust environment in the United States was a contributing factor to this trend, as lack of trust in institutions made it difficult for individuals to determine the credibility of news sources. The decline in trust in mainstream news among Democrats further exacerbated the issue, highlighting the need for a more trustworthy and transparent news environment.