Countering Misinformation in Political Reporting - by Stephen Cushion & Maria Kyriakidou (Hardcover)

About the Book

Investigates how political reporting can more effectively counter misinformation in order to enhance the public legitimacy of journalism.

Book Synopsis

This book examines how journalists should deal with the growing tide of political disinformation and public scepticism towards news media. Informed by the latest research from the UK and around the world, the book draws on a series of UK-based studies over a six-year period between 2019-2024, systematically analysing over 4000 news items and sources across fact-checking sites and broadcast programming. It examines audiences through a survey of more than 1,000 people, a news diary study of 200 participants, and fourteen focus groups, in addition to interviewing some of the most prominent news editors and journalists in broadcast news.

The authors look beyond disinformation emanating from online and social media platforms to identify where and how misinformation can spread across mainstream media. To enhance the legitimacy of journalism and better serve the public, they argue that news reporting should more regularly and robustly confront false and misleading information from politicians.

Review Quotes

There is no more important role for journalism and for public service broadcasting than ensuring that the people of their countries have access to facts, and that debates are based on evidence rather than disinformation and misinformation. This book is a valuable contribution to that service: an analysis of how truth might win out over lies. Stephen Cushion and Maria Kyriakidou deserve our thanks for researching so diligently and helping shape the debate. The fight against misinformation is urgent and affects us all. This book is essential reading.--Roger Mosey, University of Cambridge and Former Head of BBC Television News

Countering Misinformation in Political Reporting is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the intersection of political misinformation and journalism. This illuminating book explains how mainstream media counters misleading information, how journalists, intentionally or accidentally, reproduce political misinformation, and how news users respond to journalistic attempts to countering false information. It is a must-read to everyone who wants to learn about the relationship between public knowledge and misinformation. Readers will appreciate Stephen Cushion's and Maria Kyriakidou's clear account, meticulous research, and diverse case studies.--Mervi Pantti, University of Helsinki

Journalists and the mainstream news organisations increasingly find themselves vaunted and vilified as saviours from, and sources of, disinformation and misinformation. Based on extensive research, Stephen Cushion and Maria Kyriakidou's book provides a detailed and measured appraisal that neither blithely exonerates nor unfairly excoriates professional communicators in a time of increased information disorder. This is an excellent book that could not be more timely.--David Deacon, Loughborough University