ABSTRACT
While some form of “fake news” has been in existence since the inception of journalistic institutions, the proliferation of fake news since the 2016 U.S. presidential election through a combination of misinformation and disinformation has raised public concern and suspicion about the news and information U.S. Americans receive. This chapter examines the varying conceptions and definitions of the term “fake news.” It will then outline the current literature on how fake news has influenced modern American politics and recent studies analyzing the potential influence of fake news on the 2020 U.S. presidential election. This study also explores the factors contributing to the proliferation and effectiveness of fake news through strategies such as online influencers, algorithmic authority, the creation of echo chambers, and the use of microtargeting. Case studies are incorporated to more deeply examine the influence of fake news on young adult political engagement in the United States. Lastly, to address the potential for reality apathy and to stave off disinterest in news and political engagement, this study examines effective strategies for fake news literacy through a media literacy case study that moves students from a place of critical apathy toward a sense of civic agency and political engagement.
