THE PHENOMENON OF FAKE NEWS FRON THE COVID 19 SITUATION THAT AFFECTSTHE PERCEPTION OF NEWS AMONG THE ELDERLY

Abstract

This research was to study the characteristics of fake news appearing on social media, the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand page, and to study fake news about COVID-19 that affect the elderly people’s news perception. It is both quantitative and qualitative research. The data was collected from the elderly population. The sample were selected purposively from the elderly people in Chonburi and Lopburi Province. They were divided into two age groups: 60-68 years and 69-75 years old.

From the survey results from 400 respondents, it showed that 200 respondents were male (50%), 181 respondents were females (45.25%), and 19 respondents were other genders (4.75%).  For the opinions of the elderly people toward fake news about COVID-19, the highest satisfaction level was the news related to the COVID-19 outbreak situation appearing on the Anti-COVID-19 Anti-Fake Thailand page had an effect on your emotions (average =4.50), and the lowest satisfaction level was when receiving news related to the COVID-19 outbreak situation appearing on the Anti-Fake Thailand page, you immediately believe it (average= 2.03).

The results of data analysis revealed that the news content related to the COVID-19 outbreak situation that affecting the elderly people emotions was divided news belief into two points: believe it immediately and do not believe it immediately. The fake news found on the Anti-Fake Thailand page had various characteristics. Most contents were about health-related issues and the effects of the way of life of people in society. It is important for the elderly people to know how to identify and avoid fake news as well as to prepare how to deal with it in the future if the new diseases emerge. Therefore, they will develop immunity against fake news and will not easily fall for it.