Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Prof. in Communication Science, IRIB Uni.
2 Communication Sciences,
3 Media Management,, Tehran, Islamic Azad Uni., Science and Research Branch
Abstract
Fake news is a serious threat to a variety of public choices, including free elections, due to disruptions to the flow of information in modern and democratic societies. One of the most important ways to counter this threat is to empower users with media literacy; prosperity of fake news in any society depends on the way, how and extent of redistributing and consuming it by citizens of new media. So, it is important to examine why users consume and believe fake news. But before any planning to design a system of dealing with fake news, with media literacy approach, one has to find the right answers. This paper presents three organized themes of "User Reasons", "Fake News Reasons" and "Community Reasons" with a comprehensive analysis of the available scientific resources and in-depth interviews using thematic analysis. The findings showed that factors such as the realization of fake news and the compliance with people's logic and beliefs, mass testimony, heuristic frequency, Formation of filter bubble around users, Lack of information, increasing bias, and Decreasing the credibility of media, executive and official institutions, are among the reasons for the consumption and credibility of fake news in society.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)