The effect of message credibility on media use and perception of fake news among students

Ahmad Elyass Hussain, Souhaila and Kilagwa, Rehema and Mohd Zaali, Yusnita and Wok, Saodah (2018) The effect of message credibility on media use and perception of fake news among students. Human Communication A Journal of the Pacific and Asian Communication Association, 1 (2). pp. 1-21. E-ISSN 2636-9206

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Abstract

Fake news is a major concern globally. Numerous news articles worldwide have reported on the spread of fake news in multiple arenas. Malaysia, similarly, has been covering the proliferation of fake news in the media. A Fake News Bill was passed in Parliament, at record time, in the hope of attaining preventive measures to counter the spread of fake news (the bill was repealed four months later). This study aims to determine students’ perception of fake news in the context of their media usage and message credibility. Specifically, it aims to determine the relationship between media use, message credibility and perception of fake news; and to analyse the mediating effect of message credibility on media use and the perception of fake news. Fake news, in this context, is defined as deliberate misinformation spread by traditional or social media. The research utilizes the Media Dependency Theory in explaining the relationship between the audiences, media and the larger social system. The theoretical framework assumes that during times of conflict or uncertainty, in this case before the General Election 2018, audiences are likely to be more dependent on the media for information. It employs a quantitative research design using the survey method. 237 students from the Department of Communication, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) participated in the study. Findings show that there are significant relationships among media use, message credibility and fake news. The Media Dependency Theory is supported in this study.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	2899/69109
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fake news, global communication, mass media use, media dependency theory, message credibility.
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H61.8 Communication of information
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Communication
Depositing User:	Prof. Dr. Saodah Wok
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2019 11:54
Last Modified:	11 Jan 2019 15:10
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/69109

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