Tackling Misinformation in Indonesia: Assessing Fact-Checking and Media Literacy

Online misinformation presents a global challenge necessitating targeted interventions. Fact-checking, a widely utilized strategy, involves investigating claims to verify or debunk them. Although studies indicate that exposure to fact-checks can reduce belief in misinformation, limitations arise, including reduced effectiveness with politically polarized content and varying trust perceptions of fact-checking sources. Media literacy interventions also hold promise in mitigating misinformation by bolstering critical thinking skills. Despite their potential, both fact-checking and media literacy efforts have predominantly focused on English-speaking and Western audiences, leaving gaps in understanding their effectiveness elsewhere. This study focuses on Indonesia, characterized by a distinct media landscape and a growing Internet user base. Findings reveal that higher media literacy predicts positive attitudes towards fact-checking. However, exposure to fact-checks from various sources did not significantly enhance discernment or sharing behavior as anticipated. Moreover, fact-checks from political ingroups exhibited limited impact. Conversely, media literacy significantly predicted improved discernment and restraint in sharing false headlines. These results challenge the presumed efficacy of fact-checking in Indonesia and underscore the importance of media literacy initiatives.