Most People Say They Can Spot Fake News but Falter When Tested: Survey

The Straits Times

28 September 2018

Four in five Singaporeans say that they can confidently spot fake news, but when put to the test, more than 90 per cent mistakenly identified at least one out of five fake headlines as being real.

These were among the findings of an online survey released yesterday by global independent market research agency Ipsos, which aims to understand the susceptibility of Singaporeans towards fake news.

Ipsos said the survey showed there was no correlation between people’s confidence in their ability to detect fake news and their actual ability. A total of 750 Singapore citizens and permanent residents, aged 15 to 65, participated in the survey between July 30 and Aug 2.

… Mr Benjamin Ang, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the survey’s results reflected a trend that was not unique to Singapore.

“By definition, news is something we haven’t heard before. So, if we don’t have a reason or opportunity to search for verification, it is really very hard to decide on one’s own whether news is true, especially if it is something we want to believe.”

Mr Ang said the survey results were a good reminder for Singaporeans to treat what they read with healthy scepticism.

He added that taking time to verify news that resonates with what people believe “goes against our nature, but if we want to avoid spreading misinformation, it is something we should do”.

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CENS / Online / Print

Last updated on 28/09/2018