Communication through Indonesian Social Media: Avoiding Hate Speeches, Intolerance, and Hoaxes

Abstract

This research explores the consequences of online conformity in terms of how people respond to fake news. It was found that there was a greater tendency to intend to spread a fake news item when it is accompanied with comments that support the news article compared with comments that are critical of the content and optionally its author. Moreover, the research suggests that warnings from organizations about inaccurate news may not change people’s attitudes or reduce their willingness to spread a piece of fake news as powerfully as reading the critical comments of other consumers.