Americans Say "Fake News" is a Greater Threat Than Climate Change, Racism

Kind of a mixed bag on that finding. It's not a good thing that people are silly enough to think that Fake News is the biggest threat this country faces -- an even greater threat than terrorism! (???) -- but it's a consolation to know that they have dropped climate change and the nation's dwindling Racism Reserves down the list.

Experts estimate that within 30 years, America might have completely depleted its own reserves of racism and will have to import 100% of its racism (as opposed to 40%, as is the case now).

Apparently the American Public is willing to say that whatever the media is chattering about the most floridly and pointlessly is the Gravest Danger Ever Faced By This Young Republic.

More findings:

ndeed, more Americans view made-up news as a very big problem for the country than identify terrorism, illegal immigration, racism and sexism that way. Additionally, nearly seven-in-ten U.S. adults (68%) say made-up news and information greatly impacts Americans' confidence in government institutions, and roughly half (54%) say it is having a major impact on our confidence in each other.

U.S. adults blame political leaders and activists far more than journalists for the creation of made-up news intended to mislead the public. But they believe it is primarily the responsibility of journalists to fix the problem. And they think the issue will get worse in the foreseeable future.

Journalists can fix the fake news problem by not publishing so much fake news all the time.

posted by Ace of Spades at 03:11 PM

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