What is Fake News? Perceptions, Definitions and Concerns by Gender and Political Orientation Among Israelis

“Fake news” is a growing concern among scholars, policymakers and the public. The phenomenon has gained much scholarly attention in recent years, however, most research has been occupied with its manifestation in the United States. To complement on the global nature of the phenomenon, the study evaluates how Israelis perceive its sources and the responsibility of various institutions. The analysis compares trends related to gender gaps and political bias in fake news perception to studies from the US and Europe. Findings illustrate how political orientation correlates with perception of fake news and the main source of false information in the media landscape, such that conservatives associate fake news mostly with mainstream media and journalists, whereas liberals associate politicians and social network users with fake news. Additionally, men and women differ in perceptions, subjective experience of fake news and concerns over the implications of the phenomenon. These trends and their comparison to US and European research contribute to a more complete understanding of fake news as a universal phenomenon.