Factors Indicating Media Dependency and Online Misinformation Sharing in Jordan

Mohammed Habes (), Mokhtar Elareshi, Ahmed Mansoori, Saadia Pasha, Said A. Salloum and Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi
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Mohammed Habes: Radio & TV Department, Faculty of Mass Communication, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan
Mokhtar Elareshi: Public Relations Department, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 566, United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Mansoori: Department of Media and Creative Industries, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
Saadia Pasha: Department of Mass Communication, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Said A. Salloum: School of Science, Engineering, and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi: Self-Development Skills Department, College of Common First Year, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Although social media is a vital platform in our life, it is blamed for poor efforts to moderate content included mis/disinformation and fake news. This could have an impact on its legacy and on sustainability in society in the long term. This research examined the role of social media in spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Jordan. A cross-sectional design questionnaire (350 responses) was used. The results revealed that social media played a key role in updating users with COVID-19 information. However, the availability of misinformation remained highly prevalent. Respondents revealed that they relied heavily on social media for information gathering and knowledge sharing about COVID-19 updates. The role of behavioural intention remained prominent and highly significant for these two reasons. Their behavioural intention was linked to the sharing of unchecked information, suggesting that online information in Jordan needs greater regulation to reduce the spread of misinformation.

Keywords: communication; knowledge sharing; social media; COVID-19; misinformation; fake news; Jordan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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