29.11.2021 Media industry
Fake News in Poland. Challenges in Assessing Information Credibility
RINF
One in four information consumers relies on sources where verifying credibility is a significant challenge. Fake news remains a major issue, as indicated by 77% of respondents, with 51% admitting they struggle to discern truth from falsehood, according to Deloitte's *Digital Consumer Trends 2021* report.
w wydaniu polskimTop methods Poles use to follow news and current events:
- 28% - television
- 28% - social media
- 18% - news websites or apps
- 8% - radio
- 10% - other
- 8% - not interested in following news
Given that over a quarter of consumers rely on sources with challenging credibility verification, fake news remains a serious problem. While 77% of respondents acknowledge the issue, 51% admit difficulty in assessing the truthfulness of information.
The high popularity of social media as an information source is concerning, as experts warn it provides an ideal environment for the rapid spread of unverified information. Moreover, fewer social media users find these platforms trustworthy compared to television (21% vs. 34%).
Source: Digital Consumer Trends 2021, DeloitteThree-quarters of respondents claim to verify the origin of the information they receive.
- The highly effective spread of unfounded theories suggests that verification often happens within other social media channels sharing the same content, says Rafał Wojciechowski, senior manager at Deloitte. - One of the biggest challenges for media and regulators should be ensuring effective mechanisms to confirm the accuracy of information.
Social Media Less Popular
The overload of false information prompts only slightly more than one-fifth of Deloitte`s respondents to stop using social media. The most common reason, cited by a third of respondents, is boredom with the platform, especially among older users (39% in the 55-65 age group). One in four mentions spending too much time on social media as a reason to quit.
Interestingly, the youngest users are the most likely to temporarily or permanently quit at least one social media platform - 43% of 18-24-year-olds, compared to just one in five in the 55-65 age group.
- The desire to spend time more meaningfully, distance oneself from polarizing discussions, and improve well-being also drives users away from social media, says Maciej Dakowicz, senior manager at Deloitte Digital. - This trend requires marketers to diversify communication channels to reach different target groups and create valuable content that positively impacts users.
Find the second part of the Digital Consumer Trends 2021 report at:
https://www2.deloitte.com/pl/pl/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/Digital-Consumer-Trends-2021-part-2.html
Identifying Fake News
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to create fake information. Software now exists to manipulate public speeches by politicians. For instance, a video of Barack Obama delivering the same speech at different ages was generated using specialized software. This technology means public appearances by any politician can now be fabricated.
A large-scale example of fake news manipulation was the 2018 Facebook scandal. Cambridge Analytica acquired data from over 50 million Facebook users to create personalized ads influencing voter decisions. This likely impacted the Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election.
Fake News in Poland and Europe
Three-quarters of Poles encounter fake news or distorted information at least once a week. Only 14% believe this issue does not affect them, according to Kantar Public`s Eurobarometer survey.
When asked, "Does the presence of distorted or false information pose a problem in your country?" 84% of Poles responded affirmatively:
- 49% - definitely yes
- 35% - somewhat yes
- 9% - somewhat no
- 3% - definitely no
- 4% - don`t know/no opinion
These results place Poland in line with the EU average (44% - definitely yes, 41% - somewhat yes).
Eurobarometer findings echo a Press Club Polska analysis on trust in media information, showing the highest trust in social news and the lowest in political news:
- social news: trust 68%, distrust 30%
- economic news: trust 57%, distrust 40%
- political news: trust 46%, distrust 49%
According to Press Club Polska, credibility in media is most influenced by presenting independent expert opinions, referencing scientific research, and citing diverse sources, rather than the neutrality of language or source popularity.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
User Generated Content. A minefield for journalists and media
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Over 40% of internet users judge information credibility by likes and views. Only 20% use traditional news channels as a main and first source. A Reuters Institute report highlights the scale and risks of User Generated Content and offers advice on how media can avoid falling into its trap.
Social Media in 2025. Generational Differences Are Crystal Clear
KFi
More and more people are saying they’re cutting back on time spent on social media. And while this doesn’t mean a mass exodus, the trend is clear. According to latest GWI report, 31% of users said they had reduced their social media use. There’s also a subtle frustration.
Can a Robot Be Good Boss? Researchers from SWPS Look for Answers
SWPS
A robot giving orders at work is no longer a science fiction scenario - it's a research topic. Scientists from SWPS University in Poland set out to find out whether a robot can effectively manage human workers.
See articles on a similar topic:
DAB+ Radio. What is Digital Radio Broadcasting?
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Digital radio broadcasting technology, compared to traditional analog radio, provides higher sound quality, better resistance to interference, and more additional features during transmission. However, it’s not without drawbacks and raises concerns among broadcasters.
Radio in Europe. How Are Listener Habits Changing?
KFi
Radio remains one of the most popular media in Europe, but data from the European Broadcasting Union's report "Audience Trends: Radio 2024" shows clear changes in listener habits. The average European spent 2 hours and 13 minutes per day listening to the radio in 2023. This is 18 minutes less than five years ago but only one minute less than the previous year.
We Trust AI-Generated Fake News More Than Human-Created News
KrzysztoF
Generating and spreading misinformation with AI can negatively affect various areas of life, including global healthcare. To examine how AI-created text impacts the comprehension of information, researchers from the University of Zurich analyzed tweets generated by GPT-3.
Models of Journalistic Organizations
Zenon Kuczera
An overview, operational principles, and characteristics of journalistic organizations operating in Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States.
