Fake news as a two-dimensional phenomenon: a framework and research agenda

Jana Laura Egelhofer, Sophie Lecheler
2019 Annals of the International Communication Association  
Based on an extensive literature review, we suggest that 'fake news' alludes to two dimensions of political communication: the fake news genre (i.e. the deliberate creation of pseudojournalistic disinformation) and the fake news label (i.e. the instrumentalization of the term to delegitimize news media). While public worries about the use of the label by politicians are increasing, scholarly interest is heavily focused on the genre aspect of fake news. We connect the existing literature on fake
more » ... news to related concepts from political communication and journalism research, present a theoretical framework to study fake news, and formulate a research agenda. Thus, we bring clarity to the discourse about fake news and suggest shifting scholarly attention to the neglected fake news label. ARTICLE HISTORY
doi:10.1080/23808985.2019.1602782 fatcat:3jsh3rbctrclximfcoajthx2si