欧盟-欧洲晴雨表报告：假新闻和虚假网络消息（英文）-2018.4-51页_6mb

Flash Eurobarometer 464 Summary: Fake News and Disinformation Online

Core Content

This report, published in April 2018, presents findings from a Eurobarometer survey conducted in February 2018 across 28 European Union Member States. The survey aimed to understand EU citizens' awareness and attitudes towards fake news and disinformation online. It was carried out by TNS Political & Social on behalf of the European Commission, focusing on trust in news sources, perceived exposure to fake news, and confidence in identifying it.

Main Findings

Trust in News Sources

• Traditional media sources (radio, television, printed newspapers and news magazines) are generally more trusted than online sources (online newspapers and magazines, video hosting websites and podcasts, online social networks and messaging apps).
• Radio is the most trusted source in 19 countries and the second most trusted in the rest.
• Television is the most trusted source in 10 countries and the third in several others.
• Printed newspapers and news magazines are the most trusted in Italy, but in most countries they are the third most trusted (after radio and television).
• Online social networks and messaging apps are among the least trusted sources in most countries, with only 26% of respondents trusting them overall.
• Trust levels vary by socio-demographic factors:
  • Women are more likely to trust television, while men are more likely to trust video hosting websites and podcasts.
  • Younger people (15-24 years) show higher trust in online sources than older people (55+).
  • Higher education levels correlate with increased trust in all sources, especially online newspapers and magazines.
  • Employees show greater trust in traditional media than other occupational groups.
  • Frequent users of online social networks are more likely to trust online sources.

Perceived Exposure to Fake News

• More than a third (37%) of respondents encounter fake news every day or almost every day.
• 31% encounter it at least once a week, and 12% several times a month.
• 17% say they seldom or never encounter fake news.
• In every country, at least half of respondents say they encounter fake news at least once a week.
• Spain, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, France, Greece, and Slovakia report the highest frequency of encountering fake news.
• Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Malta report the lowest frequency.
• Men are more likely than women to encounter fake news at least once a week (73% vs. 64%).
• Younger people are more likely to encounter fake news than older people (77% vs. 61%).
• Respondents with higher education are more likely to encounter fake news.
• Self-employed and employees are more likely to encounter fake news than manual workers and those not working.
• Frequent users of online social networks are more likely to encounter fake news.

Perceived Ability to Recognize Fake News

• 71% of respondents are at least somewhat confident in identifying fake news.
• 15% are very confident, while 21% are not very confident and 5% are not at all confident.
• In seven countries, more than three-quarters of respondents are confident in identifying fake news: Denmark (87%), Ireland (84%), Finland, Croatia (both 82%), Romania, the UK (both 79%), and Cyprus (78%).
• Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Belgium show the lowest confidence in identifying fake news.
• Men are more confident than women in identifying fake news (74% vs. 67%).
• Older respondents are less confident than younger ones (63% vs. 72%-78%).
• Respondents who left education at 20 or above are more confident than those who left at 15 (76% vs. 53%).
• Employees show greater confidence in identifying fake news than other occupational groups.

Key Information

• The survey included 26,576 respondents from various social and demographic groups, interviewed in their mother tongue.
• The European Commission has recognized the issue of fake news as a priority and is developing an EU-level strategy to address it.
• Online platforms are seen as one of the least trusted sources of news and information.
• Traditional media (radio, television, and printed press) are more trusted across the EU.
• There is a clear socio-demographic divide in trust and confidence levels.
• Younger and more educated respondents are more likely to engage with online sources and trust them more.
• Frequent users of online social networks are more exposed to fake news and more confident in identifying it.

Conclusion

The report highlights the growing concern over fake news and disinformation in the EU. While traditional media sources are generally more trusted, online platforms are increasingly used and seen as a major source of misinformation. The findings suggest that there is a need for increased media literacy, especially among older and less educated groups, and for greater efforts by online platforms and media actors to combat the spread of false information.