Evaluations, uses and effects of online social networks as a political news source: an EU survey and its implications
Authors: Vu, H. and Nguyen, A.
Conference: Future of Journalism
Dates: 14-15 September 2017
Abstract:Online social networks (OSNs) have been blamed as a major catalyst for the rise of fake news and the "filter bubble" that many argue was behind Brexit and Trump. Using the 2016 Eurobarometer dataset on public opinion in the EU, this study investigates the causes and impacts of OSNs as a primary political news source. Examining political attitudes and knowledge among those who rely on OSNs as a political news source, through the case EU politics, we found no evidence of an "echo chamber" (or political polarization) effect or a negative effect of such reliance on political knowledge. Also, such reliance was not explained by a distrust in the mainstream media, as is often posited in recent debates, but by a more positive evaluation of political news on OSNs itself. The findings suggest that OSNs, rather than being portrayed as an echo chamber of fake news among those who feel abandoned by the established media, should be given more credits for their potential positive contribution to political discourse.
Source: Manual