{"id":87732,"date":"2020-07-30T10:55:32","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T15:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T11:22:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T15:22:26","slug":"in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"4. In addition to lower awareness of current events, social media news users hear more about some unproven claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/pj_2020-07-30_social-media-news_04-01-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6dee0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6dee0;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"522\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?w=608\" alt=\"Chart shows conspiracy theory that pandemic was intentionally planned more likely to reach social media news consumers\" class=\"wp-image-108430 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=178,300 178w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=608,1024 608w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=241,405 241w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=200,337 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=260,438 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=310,522 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=420,707 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=160,269 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-01.png?resize=320,539 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even as Americans who primarily get their political news on social media are less likely to follow most news topics and be aware of&nbsp; specific events in the news, people in this group are as aware \u2013 or sometimes <em>more<\/em> aware \u2013 of several unproven claims and fringe theories related to the COVID-19 outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One clear example is exposure to the conspiracy theory that powerful people intentionally planned the pandemic, a theory that gained attention with the <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2020\/05\/07\/plandemic-video-judy-mikovits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">spread of a conspiracy video on social media<\/a>. About eight-in-ten U.S. adults who get most of their news through social media (81%) have heard at least \u201ca little\u201d about this theory, including about a quarter (26%) who have heard \u201ca lot\u201d about it. That is more than among those who turn to any of the other six platforms for their political news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/pj_2020-07-30_social-media-news_04-02-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ece7e8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ece7e8;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"507\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart shows those who get most of their news through social media have heard more about unproven theories that vitamin C, 5G technology are connected to COVID-19\" class=\"wp-image-108433 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=249,300 249w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=768,927 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=336,405 336w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=200,241 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=260,314 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=310,374 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=420,507 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=640,773 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=740,893 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=160,193 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-02.png?resize=320,386 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, when asked in April about a list of topics connected to the coronavirus, Americans who get their news primarily through social media were more likely than most other groups to have heard about two unproven ideas: that <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pathways-2020\/COVIDCUREHEARD_c\/platform_used_for_news\/us_adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">taking vitamin C would prevent COVID-19<\/a> and that there is a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pathways-2020\/COVIDCUREHEARD_f\/platform_used_for_news\/us_adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">connection between the virus and 5G mobile technology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, one-in-five of those who get their news through social media had heard \u201ca lot\u201d about <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/coronavirus-its-time-to-debunk-claims-that-vitamin-c-could-cure-it-132803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">taking vitamin C as a preventative measure<\/a>, about on par with those who turn to local TV but higher than for those who rely on any other platform for political news. And about the same share (17%) had heard of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/tech\/coronavirus-5g-conspiracy-theory-debunked\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a connection between 5G technology and the virus<\/a>, again higher than most other groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are other claims about possible COVID-19 treatments and preventions, though, that those who get most of their political news through social media had been less likely to hear about. This may be related to where each of these storylines was commonly discussed. For example, the social media group had heard less about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-revokes-emergency-use-authorization-chloroquine-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">unproven claim that the drug hydroxychloroquine<\/a> could be a treatment for the virus[2. numoffset=&#8221;2&#8243; In June, the FDA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-revokes-emergency-use-authorization-chloroquine-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">revoked the emergency use authorization (EUA) to use hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19<\/a>, as it had \u201cdetermined that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19 for the authorized uses in the EUA.\u201d], a <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/Health\/tracking-hydroxychloroquine-misinformation-unproven-covid-19-treatment-ended\/story?id=70074235\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">claim discussed frequently by the president<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/news\/factcheck\/2020\/07\/21\/fact-check-hydroxychloroquine-hasnt-helped-covid-19-studies-show\/5407547002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">covered by the national media<\/a>, and they also had heard less than other groups about plasma transfusions, a possible treatment <a href=\"https:\/\/hub.jhu.edu\/2020\/03\/13\/covid-19-antibody-sera-arturo-casadevall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">initially explored by scientists in early March<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More generally, when asked in March whether they had seen misinformation about the COVID-19 outbreak, those who get their political news from social media were the most likely group to say they had seen at least some misinformation. More than half (57%) said this in March, versus 49% or fewer among the groups turning to other platforms. When this question was asked again in April, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/04\/29\/3-majority-of-americans-feel-they-need-breaks-from-covid-19-news-many-say-it-takes-an-emotional-toll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">increases occurred across all media news groups<\/a>, but the social media group was still more likely than most to say they had seen coronavirus misinformation (68%), with the exception of those who turn to news websites and apps (73%) and radio (72%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/pj_2020-07-30_social-media-news_04-03-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ede7e3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ede7e3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"483\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?w=840\" alt=\"Chart shows Americans who get news on social media more likely to believe coronavirus was developed in a laboratory\" class=\"wp-image-108439 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=261,300 261w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=768,883 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=352,405 352w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=200,230 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=260,299 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=310,357 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=420,483 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=640,736 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=740,851 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=160,184 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-03.png?resize=320,368 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, those who get news through social media are more likely to <em>believe<\/em> unproven claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In March, those who get most of their news through social media were more likely than other U.S. adults to say that the COVID-19 virus was developed intentionally in a laboratory, and less likely than most other groups to say that the virus came about naturally. (The virus is believed <a href=\"https:\/\/directorsblog.nih.gov\/2020\/03\/26\/genomic-research-points-to-natural-origin-of-covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">to have originated naturally<\/a>, though the way that it may have jumped from animals to humans is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-health-coronavirus-who-china\/who-advance-team-on-way-to-china-to-set-up-probe-into-virus-origin-idUSKBN24B16V\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">still being investigated<\/a>.) About a third of this group (36%) said that the virus was made either intentionally or accidentally in a laboratory, higher than the share among those who turn to several other sources for their political news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/pj_2020-07-30_social-media-news_04-04-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ebe6e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ebe6e6;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"653\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?w=486\" alt=\"Chart shows Democrats who get political news from social media were more likely to suspect foul play in Iowa caucus results\" class=\"wp-image-108442 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=142,300 142w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=486,1024 486w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=192,405 192w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=200,421 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=260,548 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=310,653 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=420,885 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=152,320 152w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-04.png?resize=304,640 304w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, even as those who get political news mainly through social media were <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pathways-2020\/CAMPNII\/platform_used_for_news\/us_adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">paying less attention to the 2020 campaign overall<\/a> compared with other groups, they were more likely to give credence to an unsubstantiated theory during the Democratic primary \u2013 particularly among Democrats and independents who lean Democratic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among Democrats, those who get the bulk of their news from social media were the most likely to say that there were major efforts to purposefully delay the release of results from the Iowa Democratic caucus (34%), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politifact.com\/factchecks\/2020\/feb\/04\/organizers-bernie-2020\/no-evidence-iowa-poll-or-caucus-were-blocked-democ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">an unproven theory promoted on social media<\/a> in early February. The same pattern was not seen among Republicans, who were overall more likely to accept this theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/pj_2020-07-30_social-media-news_04-05-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eae4e5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eae4e5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"523\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?w=607\" alt=\"Chart shows social media group not highly concerned about possible effects of misinformation on the 2020 election\" class=\"wp-image-108445 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=178,300 178w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=607,1024 607w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=240,405 240w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=200,337 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=260,439 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=310,523 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=420,709 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=160,270 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_04-05.png?resize=320,540 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While those who turn to social media are more aware of \u2013 and in some cases more likely to believe \u2013 certain unproven claims or misinformation, this doesn\u2019t translate to more concern about the effects made-up news can have. <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pathways-2020\/FKNWSCNCRN20\/platform_used_for_news\/us_adults\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">In a November survey<\/a>, this group was actually <em>less<\/em> likely to be concerned about the effects made-up news may have on the 2020 election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just over a third (37%) of those who rely on social media for political news said they were \u201cvery concerned\u201d about the effects made-up news might have on the 2020 presidential election, lower than for all other groups except those who get political news from local TV. By contrast, half or more of those who get most of their news through other platforms said they were very concerned about misinformation in the news ecosystem and its possible impact on the presidential election.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even as Americans who primarily get their political news on social media are less likely to follow most news topics and be aware of&nbsp; specific events in the news, people in this group are as aware \u2013 or sometimes more aware \u2013 of several unproven claims and fringe theories related to the COVID-19 outbreak. One [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":581,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sub_headline":"","sub_title":"","_crdt_document":"","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"ai_generated_summary":"","bylines":[],"acknowledgements":[],"displayBylines":true,"prc_watchers":[],"relatedPosts":[],"reportMaterials":[],"multiSectionReport":[],"package_parts__enabled":false,"package_parts":[],"_prc_fork_parent":0,"_prc_fork_status":"","_prc_active_fork":0,"datacite_doi":"","datacite_doi_citation":"","_prc_seo_qr_attachment_id":0,"spoken_article_player_enabled":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[345,448,433,400,275,40,329,282,364,307,352,348],"tags":[],"bylines":[],"collection":[],"datasets":[1855],"level_of_effort":[],"primary_audience":[],"information_type":[],"_post_visibility":[],"formats":[458],"_fund_pool":[],"languages":[],"regions-countries":[],"research-teams":[527],"workflow-status":[],"class_list":["post-87732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-american-news-pathways-2020-project","category-coronavirus-disease-covid-19","category-covid-19-science","category-covid-19-in-the-news","category-digital-news-landscape-2","category-election-2020","category-misinformation","category-misinformation-online","category-public-knowledge","category-social-media","category-social-media-news","category-television","datasets-american-news-pathways-june-2020-survey","formats-report","research-teams-journalism"],"label":false,"post_parent":87764,"word_count":885,"canonical_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/","art_direction":{"A1":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=564&h=317&crop=1","width":564,"height":317,"chartArt":false},"A2":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false},"A3":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=194&h=110&crop=1","width":194,"height":110,"chartArt":false},"A4":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false},"XL":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=720&h=405&crop=1","width":720,"height":405,"chartArt":false},"social":{"id":108517,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_20.07.29_SocialMediaNews_feature.png?w=1200&h=628&crop=1","width":1200,"height":628,"chartArt":false}},"_embeds":[],"watchers":[],"table_of_contents":[{"id":87764,"title":"Americans Who Mainly Get Their News on Social Media Are Less Engaged, Less Knowledgeable","slug":"americans-who-mainly-get-their-news-on-social-media-are-less-engaged-less-knowledgeable","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/americans-who-mainly-get-their-news-on-social-media-are-less-engaged-less-knowledgeable\/","is_active":false},{"id":87750,"title":"1. 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U.S. adults who mostly rely on social media for political news are often less knowledgeable about current events","slug":"u-s-adults-who-mostly-rely-on-social-media-for-political-news-are-often-less-knowledgeable-about-current-events","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/u-s-adults-who-mostly-rely-on-social-media-for-political-news-are-often-less-knowledgeable-about-current-events\/","is_active":false},{"id":87732,"title":"4. In addition to lower awareness of current events, social media news users hear more about some unproven claims","slug":"in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/in-addition-to-lower-awareness-of-current-events-social-media-news-users-hear-more-about-some-unproven-claims\/","is_active":true},{"id":87837,"title":"Appendix: Knowledge questions used for average correct responses","slug":"appendix-knowledge-questions-used-for-average-correct-responses","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/appendix-knowledge-questions-used-for-average-correct-responses\/","is_active":false},{"id":87829,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"social-media-news-consumers-acknowledgments","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/social-media-news-consumers-acknowledgments\/","is_active":false},{"id":87822,"title":"Methodology","slug":"social-media-news-consumers-methodology","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2020\/07\/30\/social-media-news-consumers-methodology\/","is_active":false}],"report_materials":[{"key":"044fac95-96db-40cb-a45b-f6f7011f2e7f","type":"report","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/07\/PJ_2020.07.30_social-media-news_REPORT.pdf","label":"","icon":"","attachmentId":108516},{"key":"4dbbb040-e1e6-471d-ad89-773907af7f89","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/dataset\/election-news-pathways-november-2019-survey\/","label":"American News Pathways November 2019 Survey Dataset","icon":"dataset","attachmentId":""},{"key":"942a56d5-7221-48a2-9430-784bc7746c50","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/dataset\/election-news-pathways-february-2020-survey\/","label":"American News Pathways February 2020 Survey Dataset","icon":"dataset","attachmentId":""},{"key":"b4055484-5d93-40ba-b4f6-40ba18545ed2","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/dataset\/election-news-pathways-march-2020-survey\/","label":"American News Pathways March 2020 Survey Dataset","icon":"dataset","attachmentId":""},{"key":"7d5059fd-0eea-429a-9e5d-c2e5ded68a59","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/dataset\/election-news-pathways-april-2020-survey\/","label":"American News Pathways April 2020 Survey Dataset","icon":"dataset","attachmentId":""},{"type":"dataset","id":1855,"label":"American News Pathways June 2020 Survey","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/dataset\/american-news-pathways-june-2020-survey\/"}],"report_pagination":{"current_post":{"id":87732,"title":"4. 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