Misinformation vs News: News Literacy of Malaysian University Students on Social Media

Lee, Mei Kwan (2024) Misinformation vs News: News Literacy of Malaysian University Students on Social Media. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This study investigates the news literacy of Malaysian university students and their ability to distinguish between accurate news and misinformation on social media. As platforms like Facebook, Instagram, RED, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok become primary news sources, students face challenges navigating through credible news and misinformation. This research aims to assess students' news literacy levels, identify common types of misinformation they encounter, explore the factors that shape their perception of news credibility, and identify challenges that hinder their ability to differentiate credible news from misinformation. Using a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted among 167 university students, with data analysed through the AACRA model (access, analyse, create, reflect, act) to examine their engagement with media content. The findings indicate that while students are aware of various types of misinformation, including fake news, satire, rumours, and deep fakes, many still struggle to critically assess the credibility of online information, particularly from trusted personal relationships. This study highlights the need for enhanced educational programs that develop students' critical thinking and media literacy skills, empowering them to better combat misinformation. While this research contributes valuable insights, limitations such as the sample size and reliance on self-reported data may affect the generalisability of the findings. Future research should address these limitations and incorporate qualitative methods to further explore the complexities of news literacy among diverse demographic groups.