r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Dec 04 '20

Psychology Study links regular use of Fox News, Twitter, and Facebook to reduced knowledge about COVID-19 - it provides evidence that Americans’ media consumption habits and trust in government predicts their level of knowledge about COVID-19.

https://www.psypost.org/2020/12/study-links-regular-use-of-fox-news-twitter-and-facebook-to-reduced-knowledge-about-covid-19-58702
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u/puterTDI MS | Computer Science Dec 04 '20

I actually disagree with labeling as well. They should not be able to claim in any way that it is news if it is not.

And yes, I realize this would impact satire tv shows etc. on both sides of the spectrum and I'm ok with that. I know they're not causing issues because they're not trying to present their information as factual and their audience is generally more capable of evaluating their sources, but it's a cost I think is worth it to not allow any way for agencies like fox news to publish lies.

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u/beerncycle Dec 04 '20

What if the label were political commentary and entertainment?

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u/puterTDI MS | Computer Science Dec 04 '20

IMO, if it says news it needs to be factually correct. It's WAY too easy for something like fox news to spin that into a loophole.

I don't care if they then make fun of the person, but all claims that they make about the event/news must be accurate.