The idea is that those who are in the business of relaying actual facts may want to implement the strategy to prevent against the spread of "alternative facts." To test the theory, the researchers first presented participants with accurate or inaccurate facts about a subject known to be susceptible to misinformation: Climate change. Some participants were presented with a pie chart illustrating a scientifically sound fact: "97% of scientists agree on man-made climate change." And when participants were given the more detailed inoculation, they were 13% more likely to agree that there’s consensus, in the face of fake information. And though the team only talks about their findings in the context of climate change, it’s certainly possible that they apply to other subjects in which misinformation is spread.

Source: Forbes January 23, 2017 18:21 UTC