Modelling the antecedent factors that affect online fake news sharing on COVID-19: the moderating role of fake news knowledge

Abstract

We proposed a conceptual model combining three theories: uses and gratification theory, social networking sites (SNS) dependency theory and social impact theory to understand the factors that predict fake news sharing related to COVID-19. We also tested the moderating role of fake news knowledge in reducing the tendency to share fake news. Data were drawn from social media users (n = 650) in Nigeria, and partial least squares was used to analyse the data. Our results suggest that tie strength was the strongest predictor of fake news sharing related to COVID-19 pandemic. We also found perceived herd, SNS dependency, information-seeking and parasocial interaction to be significant predictors of fake news sharing. The effect of status-seeking on fake news sharing, however, was not significant. Our results also established that fake news knowledge significantly moderated the effect of perceived herd, SNS dependency, information-seeking, parasocial interaction on fake news sharing related to COVID-19. However, tie strength and status-seeking effects were not moderated.

The causes, impacts and countermeasures of COVID-19 “Infodemic”: A systematic review using narrative synthesis

“…Second, the positive relationship between social media usage and rumor spreading was identified. Social media usage and dependency were found to directly predict the intention of rumor sharing in different populations ( Apuke and Omar, 2020 ; Sun et al., 2020 ; Apuke and Omar, 2021 ). Furthermore, it contributed to the infodemic by increasing the public's misinformation beliefs ( Sun et al., 2020 ) — people who believe it actually tweet it ( Ahmed et al., 2020 ; Islam et al., 2020 ).…”

“…First, this review summarized possible psychological mechanisms from social media usage to the public's intention of sharing rumors, which was not thoroughly investigated by previous literature on human rumor sharing behavior. Social media usage was found to have a positive effect on the intention to share rumors during the infodemic ( Apuke and Omar, 2020 ; Sun et al., 2020 ; Apuke and Omar, 2021 ), and its effect was mediated by the conspiracy and misinformation beliefs ( Ahmed et al., 2020 ; Sun et al., 2020 ; Islam et al., 2020 ). Furthermore, the effect of social media usage on the formation of conspiracy beliefs was mediated by the psychological issues from the public (e.g., worry ( Su, 2021 )).…”

“…It was thought of as just a media platform/context where both the authentic information and the rumor were disseminated. However, it played as one factor in the multi-mediated perspective, contributing to the sharing of rumors ( Apuke and Omar, 2020 ; Apuke and Omar, 2021 ).

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TV News and COVID-19: Media Influence on Healthy Behavior in Public Spaces

“…So far, a handful of studies has followed these recommendations. Interestingly, most of the research has been devoted to the effects of misinformation and fake news about COVID-19 [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], instead of considering traditional media influence.…”

Protection Motivation During COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Family Health, Media, and Economic Influences

“…In China, information and motivation, and behavioral skills were positively associated with COVID-19 prevention behaviors (Luo et al, 2020). Among a sample of Nigerian social media users, aspects of uses and gratification theory such as information sharing, socialization, information seeking, and pass time (occupy time) were associated with the sharing of false information or fake news about COVID-19 (Apuke & Omar, 2020). Televised transmissions featuring mental health professionals in Pakistan during COVID-19 outbreaks helped reduce public stress and anxiety about COVID-19 (Bilal et al, 2020).…”