Answer to Question #160757 in English for Will

Question

How does internet advertising contribute to spread of misinformation?

Answer 1

The growth of various social media platforms has provided a thriving environment for internet advertising where marketers can have a reach a wide audience. However, digital advertising has become a convenient way of spreading misinformation, disinformation, and fake news as it has better reception than other internet applications. According to research conducted by Chiou and Tucker (2018), the majority of consumers of fake news and propaganda are active social media users who do not take into consideration the accuracy and reliability of the source of information. Spreaders of propaganda and fake news take this lack of caution as a key factor in carrying out their malicious intentions. Thus, the inadequate measures towards fact-checking and judgment open a back door for misinformation to reach billions of people from different internet advertising platforms.

 

Chiou, L., & Tucker, C. (2018). Fake news and advertising on social media: A study of the anti-vaccination movement (No. w25223). National Bureau of Economic Research.