Online News as Verified Information Sources for Fourth Year College Mass Communication Students

Abstract

The rapid advance of communication technology greatly helps information more easily accessible to anyone. The internet provides the connection, and the World Wide Web offers a broad and diversified source of information. This progress in communication ushers the great increase of online users. This research explores the credibility of online news as a verified information source for Mass Communication students. A total of 200 fourth year college Mass Communication students from four different universities in Quezon City participated in the study by accomplishing a self-made survey questionnaire. Based on the results, not all Mass Communication students read news online, but for those who read online, they do so because of its accessibility and convenience. They utilize their mobile phones and other gadgets which are portable and accessible as well. Misinformation, the integrity of news authors, and inadequacy of important details are the primary problems encountered by online users. It is interesting to note that while there is a very high level of awareness on the presence of fake news online, online news is still perceived as a source of verified information. With the big number of online news consumers, and amidst the perceived reliability of online news, verification of the veracity of said materials is advocated. Online users are hoped to be knowledgeable and discriminating in choosing a better information source.