Protection from ‘Fake News’: The Need for Descriptive Factual Labeling for Online Content

Matthew Spradling, Jeremy Straub and Jay Strong
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Matthew Spradling: Computer Science, Engineering and Physics Department, University of Michigan–Flint, Flint, MI 48502, USA
Jeremy Straub: Institute for Cyber Security Education and Research, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
Jay Strong: Computer Science, Engineering and Physics Department, University of Michigan–Flint, Flint, MI 48502, USA

Future Internet, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-26

Abstract: So-called ‘fake news’—deceptive online content that attempts to manipulate readers—is a growing problem. A tool of intelligence agencies, scammers and marketers alike, it has been blamed for election interference, public confusion and other issues in the United States and beyond. This problem is made particularly pronounced as younger generations choose social media sources over journalistic sources for their information. This paper considers the prospective solution of providing consumers with ‘nutrition facts’-style information for online content. To this end, it reviews prior work in product labeling and considers several possible approaches and the arguments for and against such labels. Based on this analysis, a case is made for the need for a nutrition facts-based labeling scheme for online content.

Keywords: fake news; nutrition facts; content labeling; online content; deceptive content (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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