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The role of accounting information in an era of fake news

Author

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  • Liu, Betty
  • Moss, Austin

Abstract

We offer empirical evidence on the role of accounting information in shaping the incentives to produce fake news. We document that fake news authors strategically (1) publish their articles near earnings announcements, leveraging the widespread market attention these events attract, and (2) within the near-announcement window, avoid publishing post-announcement when investors are less susceptible to fake news due to the disclosure of accounting information. In extending our analyses to the broader accounting information environment, we find that fake news authors are less likely to target firms with more robust accounting information and elicit lower market reactions when doing so. These results highlight both ex-ante and ex-post roles that accounting information plays in safeguarding firms from financial disinformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Betty & Moss, Austin, 2025. "The role of accounting information in an era of fake news," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:79:y:2025:i:2:s0165410124000946
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2024.101764
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accounting information; Fake news; Seeking Alpha; Financial disinformation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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