The Credibility Crisis: Leveraging Crisis Communication Theory to Mitigate "Fake News" Accusations

Panel Submission Type: Panel/Research Presentation Session

Abstract

In the age of "fake news" and "alternative facts," how can mainstream news media mitigate damaged credibility perceptions and retain audience trust? Do accusations of “fake news” parallel other public relations crises, and if so, can the tools of crisis management be leveraged to help beleaguered news operations preserve their reputations? This panel will explore how the principles of crisis communication may provide news operations an avenue to rebuild credibility perceptions among skeptical audiences.

Sub Unit

• News

Cosponsor

• Management, Marketing and Programming

Moderator

• Ginger Blackstone, Harding University

Panelists

• Johnathan Borden, Syracuse University

• Xiaochen Zhang, Kansas State University

• Ronen Shay, St. John Fisher College