Countering Corporate Misinformation: A Meta-Analysis of Public Relations Interventions

The rapid spread of misinformation poses a significant threat to organizations. This meta-analysis synthesizes the emerging body of experimental research on public relations interventions intended to counter the impact of misinformation. Across 13 studies (N = 5,650), responses had a small to medium-sized negative effect on belief in misinformation (d = -0.24), a medium-sized positive effect on belief in the organization’s corrective communication (d = 0.44), and a small positive effect on pro-organization attitudes and intentions (d = 0.19). Current public relations interventions are preferable to inaction but seem insufficient for fully addressing the growing threat of false claims.