Countering Misinformation in Political Reporting

There is no more important role for journalism and for public service broadcasting than ensuring that the people of their countries have access to facts, and that debates are based on evidence rather than disinformation and misinformation. This book is a valuable contribution to that service: an analysis of how truth might win out over lies. Stephen Cushion and Maria Kyriakidou deserve our thanks for researching so diligently and helping shape the debate. The fight against misinformation is urgent and affects us all. This book is essential reading. -- Roger Mosey, University of Cambridge and Former Head of BBC Television News Countering Misinformation in Political Reporting is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the intersection of political misinformation and journalism. This illuminating book explains how mainstream media counters misleading information, how journalists, intentionally or accidentally, reproduce political misinformation, and how news users respond to journalistic attempts to countering false information. It is a must-read to everyone who wants to learn about the relationship between public knowledge and misinformation. Readers will appreciate Stephen Cushion’s and Maria Kyriakidou’s clear account, meticulous research, and diverse case studies. -- Mervi Pantti, University of Helsinki Journalists and the mainstream news organisations increasingly find themselves vaunted and vilified as saviours from, and sources of, disinformation and misinformation. Based on extensive research, Stephen Cushion and Maria Kyriakidou’s book provides a detailed and measured appraisal that neither blithely exonerates nor unfairly excoriates professional communicators in a time of increased information disorder. This is an excellent book that could not be more timely. -- David Deacon, Loughborough University