The Threat of Misinformation on Journalism’s Epistemology

Exploring the Gap between Journalist’s and Audience’s Expectations when Facing Fake Content

Bibliographic Data

ID22010663
AuthorsEnrique Núñez-Mussa (0000-0001-6590-819X, Michigan State University, corresponding author), Andrea Riquelme (0000-0003-4884-0466, University of Talca), Sebastián Valenzuela (0000-0001-5991-7364, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Valeria Aldana (0000-0002-4125-1274, San Sebastián University), Fabián Padilla-Arenas (0000-0001-9300-8770, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), Renato Bassi (0000-0002-5486-9698, Millennium Institute), Sebastián Campos (0000-0002-8028-9697, Millennium Institute), Eliana Providel (0000-0003-3638-7879, Valparaiso University), Marcelo Mendoza (0000-0002-7969-6041, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile)
Year2025
Volume13
Issue3
Pages478-499
Publication date2025-03-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDigital Journalism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2167-0811 • E-ISSN: 2167-082X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/21670811.2024.2320249
OpenAlexW4392241844
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited68

This study analyzes the discourse of reporters, editors and audiences in focus groups and in-depth interviews, examining the expectations on journalists when facing misinformation. While both groups agree that journalistic information is critical, how this expectation is met varies. On the one hand, the audience’s way of knowing involves diverse assessments regarding valuable information; also, they are dubious about journalists’ intentions. On the other hand, journalists exhibit a limited understanding of the audience’s informational needs and encounter practical challenges in rigorously fact-checking, affecting their authority in knowledge generation. The study proposes a discussion on acknowledging their complex epistemologies to benefit mutual understanding. Doing this can establish structural support for journalistic information, contributing to trust in journalism when challenged by sources spreading misinformation

Crisis communication · Disinformation · Fake news · Internet privacy · Journalism · Media studies · Misinformation · Political science · Public relations · Social media · Sociology · Computer Science · Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection · Law · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Media and Politics

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