Who is afraid of fake news? Modeling risk perceptions of misinformation in 142 countries

12 April 2022

HKSMR

Using survey data from 154,195 respondents in 142 countries, DemTech researchers Aleksi Knuutila, Lisa-Maria Neudert and Philip N. Howard investigate internet user perceptions of the risks associated with being exposed to misinformation. They find that: 1) The majority of regular internet users globally (58.5%) worry about misinformation, and young and low-income groups are most likely to be concerned. 2) Risk perception among internet users varies starkly across regions whereby concern is highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (74.2%), and lowest in South Asia (31.2%). 3) Differences are unrelated to the prevalence of misinformation, yet concern is highest in countries with liberal democratic governments. They discuss implications for successful policy and platform interventions.

Knuutila, A., Neudert, L.-M., Howard, P. N. (2022). Who is afraid of fake news? Modeling risk perceptions of misinformation in 142 countries. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review. https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-97

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