Perceptions of Internet information credibility

People increasingly rely on Internet and web-based information despite evid ence that it is potentially inaccurate and biased. Therefore, this study so ught to assess people's perceptions of the credibility of various categorie s of Internet information compared to similar information provided by other media. The 1.041 respondents also were asked about whether they verified I nternet information. Overall, respondents reported they considered Internet information to be as credible as that obtained for television, radio, and magazines, but not as credible as newspaper information. Credibility among the types of information sought, such as news and entertainment, varied acr oss media channels. Respondents said they rarely verified web-based informa tion, although this too varied by the type of information sought. Levels of experience and how respondents perceived the credibility of information we re related to whether they verified information. This study explores the so cial relevance of the findings and discusses them in terms of theoretical k nowledge of advanced communication technologies.