Correcting false information: Journalistic coverage during the 2016 and 2020 US elections

Clara Juarez Miro (Corresponding author), Jonathan Anderson

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

This study examines journalistic coverage of false information through a qualitative textual analysis of news about four popular false information cases during the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections: The false claims that (1) the Pope endorsed Donald Trump; (2) Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager ran a pedophilia ring in a pizza shop; (3) the 2020 election was fraudulent and stolen; and (4) liberal politicians and celebrities were Satan worshippers and pedophiles. The analysis identified three dimensions of correction of false information in news coverage. The first dimension examined emphasis on the correct rather than false information. This nuanced past research by considering different practices, such as elaborating on correct information and avoiding the inclusion of incorrect information. The second dimension referred to the tone used to correct false information. The adoption of an assertive tone demonstrated journalists’ use of their voice to authoritatively correct false information. The third dimension entailed the inclusion of sources, which were used to frame correct information consistently with a diversity of audiences’ worldviews. These findings offer a framework to assess journalistic reporting on false information and illuminate strategies to stem its spread.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-236
Number of pages19
JournalJournalism Studies
Volume25
Issue number2
Early online date19 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 508007 Communication science
  • 508005 Journalism

Keywords

  • correction
  • coverage
  • debunking‌
  • false information
  • News media
  • qualitative analysis
  • United States

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Correcting false information: Journalistic coverage during the 2016 and 2020 US elections'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this