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Communication university students' opinions and attitudes towards the fake news

Authors

Martin-Herrera, Inmaculada , MICALETTO BELDA, JUAN PABLO

External publication

No

Means

Comun. Hombre

Scope

Article

Nature

Científica

JCR Quartile

SJR Quartile

Publication date

01/01/2021

ISI

000741687600012

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the relationships that exist between digital and communication Science undergraduate students and fake news on the internet. We believe it is necessary to understand the student's behaviour because they will be the future of the communication profession and also the ones who will have to deal with its significant consequences on their labor market. Data has been collected within the University of Seville in order to understand the student's attitudes. The research develops a mixed scheme approach -quantitative and qualitative analysis-, in which there have been used the following measuring tools: a questionnaire and an open-question interview. Results show that students dont frequently consume or share fake news because they have a foundation of knowledge that enables them to verify and filter information. They are similarly able to recognise when the published contents have other political and economic motives. For these reasons, the students support media and digital literacy programs that aim to educate the public on how to be critical towards published information on the internet.

Keywords

Social networks; Internet; Fake news; University training

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