Fact-checking and misinformation warnings are common in modern political discourse. This research examines how these interventions impact information processing.

Data & Methods

Drawing from studies in social cognition, we analyze the effects of both accurate and inaccurate news labels on credibility perceptions and memory retention.

Key Findings

• Accurate retro-warnings about misleading content often fail to effectively persuade readers due to weak correction impact

• False warnings taint legitimate information, leading individuals to discard authentic political knowledge

• The "tainted truth effect" demonstrates how suspicion of misinformation can paradoxically cause rejection of factual reports

Why It Matters

Our findings highlight unintended consequences of widespread misinformation campaigns:

• They may inadvertently undermine the credibility of legitimate news sources

• They risk damaging citizens' ability to retain important political information over time

These results suggest policymakers and media organizations should reconsider blanket statements about fake news.