Almost a third have fallen for fake news at least once
33.1% of people in Germany have believed information about current social or political events and only later realised it was fake news. This is particularly often reported among respondents aged 30 and under (Generation Z) in the representative IU Study on media literacy.
In comparison: Only 15.0% initially fell for deepfakes before realising they were fake – here too, younger people were more likely to report this than older people. However, there is a high level of uncertainty among respondents, with more than a quarter unable to answer these questions about fake news and deepfakes with any certainty.
Question: Have you ever come across news about current social or political events that you considered to be believable but that later proved to be fake news according to other media outlets or individuals?
Question: Have you ever come across news about current social or political events that you considered to be believable but that later proved to be deepfake according to other media outlets or individuals?
Disinformation is not a mere product of chance, but usually arises from deliberate manipulation that may be politically, ideologically or economically motivated. The study results show that almost a third of people have believed information at least once that later turned out to be fake news. There is also a great deal of uncertainty, as many people lack the necessary knowledge, the right tools or clear guidance to reliably identify fake news and deepfakes. Therefore, media literacy is a key skill in today’s world. Providing targeted education, for example in schools, could be a key part of the solution.”
Prof. Dr Julia Levasier
Professor of Public Relations and Communication at the IU International University of Applied Sciences
What happens when people believe disinformation?
According to the IU study, fake news and deepfakes have a concrete impact on the (social) lives and (electoral) decisions of respondents. Among the 33.1% and 15.0% of respondents who initially believed disinformation, almost half experienced stress or anxiety, and around one-fifth experienced conflicts with others. 13.9% and 15.0%, respectively, even states that they made a misguided voting decision due to fake news or deepfakes.
Consequences of fake news and deepfakes
Question: To what extent did believing the fake news influence your decisions, your everyday life and/or your social interactions?
Only respondents who have previously believed fake news about current social or political events that later turned out to be fake news according to other media outlets or individuals; excerpt from answers surveyed
Question: To what extent did believing the deepfake influence your decisions, your everyday life and/or your social interactions?
Only respondents who have previously believed a deepfake about current social or political events that later turned out to be a deepfake according to other media outlets or individuals; excerpt from answers surveyed
Democracy in danger? – Impact of fake news and deepfakes
Disinformation does not only affect people’s lives and decisions, almost nine out of ten people in Germany consider fake news to be a serious threat to our democracy and freedom. Other dangers posed by fake news and deepfakes include influencing elections and undermining trust in the media in general.
Question: To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
Only the answers “Completely agree” and “Tend to agree” on a scale of 1 to 4; answer “I cannot say” not shown
Disinformation in Germany: AI exacerbating the situation
Artificial intelligence allows deepfakes and fake news to be created quickly – and, according to the majority of respondents, also amplifies their spread and thereby heightens the dangers of disinformation. Reasons for this include AI-powered search engines such as Google Bard and Perplexity AI.
Question: To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
Only the answers “Completely agree” and “Tend to agree” on a scale of 1 to 4; answer “I cannot say” not shown
Media literacy is more important today than ever before – but it is no longer enough on its own. AI-generated images and videos are often almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing, and the flood of false information continues to rise. Many people are rightly worried that AI-powered search engines will make it even easier for fake news to spread. AI models cause additional confusion when they produce seemingly credible ‘hallucinations’, i.e. they invent content out of thin air. This makes it increasingly difficult to find reliable guidance.”
Prof. Dr Nele Hansen
Professor of Media Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Focus
What can be done about fake news and deepfakes?
According to our expert, media literacy alone is not enough to tackle disinformation in the form of fake news and deepfakes. Therefore, who is responsible – and what measures could mitigate the negative effects of fake news and deepfakes?
The main responsibility lies with social media platforms and politicians
Around two-thirds of people in Germany believe that social media providers and politicians are primarily responsible for combating fake news and deepfakes. 60.3% and 52.8%, respectively, also believe that individuals and the media bear the main responsibility.
Question: In your opinion, who should be primarily responsible for combating fake news and deepfakes?
Top 5 answers
96.1% think that TikTok and other social media platforms should crack down on disinformation
Almost all respondents are in favour of measures being taken by social media platforms to combat disinformation. Most frequently mentioned: the labelling of potential fake news and deepfakes. Only 3.9% believe that no measures are necessary.
Question: What measures do you think social media platforms (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube) should take to combat fake news and deepfakes?
Top 8 answers
94.9% also want politicians to take action against fake news and deepfakes
A legal obligation to label AI-generated content is the most frequently mentioned policy measure for tackling disinformation. Only 5.1% of respondents do not want politicians to take action.
Question: What measures do you think politicians should take to combat fake news and deepfakes?
Top 8 answers
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85.6% of people in Germany think that the making of deepfakes should be banned.
The study results show a clear demand for regulatory action to address fake news and deepfakes. Almost all respondents want social media providers such as Meta to be held more accountable. Politicians also need to take action. Personal responsibility, critical thinking and social cohesion are also vital. We can only effectively combat disinformation if politicians, social media providers and society – in other words, all of us together – take responsibility.”
Prof. Dr Julia Levasier
Professor of Public Relations and Communication at the IU International University of Applied Sciences
