Linking Media Instruction, Media Literacy, and Digital Skills to Fake News Beliefs and Censorship Support

Abstract

This study explores the link between knowledge and skills related to online information consumption and implications for fake news beliefs and support for censorship. The goal of this project was to explore the link between media instruction and students’ news beliefs and attitudes. In particular, survey participants were asked about fake news beliefs, completed digital skill and media literacy assessments, and then completed a measure of their support for government censorship of media. Results indicate that more literate and more skilled users are more skeptical of news media reporting and are more supportive of censorship.