News sources may share misinformation to gain short-term audience engagement, despite risking long-term credibility loss. The current study models their competition as a zero-sum game, where each source chooses between factual or misleading content based on credibility, article accuracy, and audience traits. Using quantal response equilibrium to reflect bounded rationality, results show hyperpartisan outlets spread most misinformation. The findings offer policy insights for reducing misinformation and strengthening factual discourse.
How media competition fuels the spread of misinformation (Science Advances)
