Many Americans Believe Fake News Is Sowing Confusion

According to a new survey by Pew Research Center, most Americans suspect that made-up news is having an impact. About two-in-three US adults (64%) say fabricated news stories cause a great deal of confusion about the basic facts of current issues and events. This sense is shared widely across incomes, education levels, partisan affiliations and most other demographic characteristics.

Though they sense these stories are spreading confusion, Americans express a fair amount of confidence in their own ability to detect fake news, with about four-in-ten (39%) feeling very confident that they can recognize news that is fabricated and another 45% feeling somewhat confident. Overall, about a third (32%) of Americans say they often see political news stories online that are made up.


Many Americans Believe Fake News Is Sowing Confusion Fake news spread by 23% of Americans, study says (USA Today) Pew Survey: Fake News Causing Current Event Confusion (B&C) Pew: Majority of Americans say fake news sows confusion of basic facts (Politico)