Attributing fake news to unintentional error or intentional deception both allow one to discredit information that opposes their own viewpoint.

Pepperdine University

Individuals will often attribute inaccurate news reports to either an unintentional error or an intentional attempt to spread misinformation.

Attributions for fake news

Axt, J. R., Landau, M. J., & Kay, A. C. (2020). Fake news attributions as a source of nonspecific structure. In R. Greifeneder, M. Jaffé, E. J. Newman, & N. Schwarz (Eds.), The psychology of fake news: Accepting, sharing, and correcting misinformation (pp. 220–234). London: Routledge. 

Fake news attributions as a source of nonspecific structure

A majority of Americans believe traditional news sources are knowingly publishing incorrect or misleading information.

Attributing fake news to intentional deception

Although humans ordinarily prioritize self-enhancing information, individuals also often perceive news media as largely opposing their personal beliefs.

Biases in media perception

Participants were shown retracted news stories that either supported or contradicted their personal views. The participants were then asked whether they believed that the story was retracted because the story contained false information due to an honest mistake or due to intentional deception.
Both Republicans and Democrats indicated that they believed that the news media was intentionally deceptive.

Those who had a high Personal Need for Structure were more likely to attribute the retraction to intentional deceit, even when the news story supported their own views.

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