University of Kwazulu-Natal

Misinformation Is Eroding The Public S Confidence In Democracy

Bonisiwe Shabane
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misinformation is eroding the public s confidence in democracy

Raquel Muñiz , Andrés Castro Samayoa, Shane Dunn “We’re seeing higher levels of distrust in our elections, how they’re run and the validity of their outcomes,” USC Price’s Mindy Romero says. (Photo/iStock) With misinformation on the rise and American voters increasingly losing faith in elections, USC experts explore strategies to restore confidence in democracy. Public trust in our free and fair elections — a fundamental pillar of American democracy — is eroding. We don’t need polls to tell us Americans are losing faith in democracy, though the numbers back it up: Recent survey data shows that almost 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with the current state...

The flow of misinformation and coordinated disinformation campaigns are generating alarming levels of doubt among voters, USC experts say. From narratives around contentious issues like abortion and immigration to unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, the damaging effects of misinformation on democracy are increasingly evident. Even misinformation surrounding federal responses to crises such as Hurricane Helene show how public perception can be swayed and the consequences that can follow. Ullrich Ecker is a professor at the School of Psychological Science and a fellow at the Public Policy Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Jon Roozenbeek is assistant professor in psychology and security at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, UK. Sander van der Linden is a professor of social psychology in society at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Li Qian Tay is a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. John Cook is a senior research fellow at the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change at the University of Melbourne, Australia. In an increasingly interconnected world, the spread of disinformation and misinformation poses a growing threat to the very foundations of democracy. On September 23, 2024, the Center for Human Rights hosted a crucial discussion on this critical issue, marking the launch of the book "Disinformation, Misinformation & Democracy." The event, titled "The Challenges of Disinformation... The panel featured Professor Bertoni, the Center’s Director and a contributor to the book, alongside Ronald Krotoszynski from the University of Alabama School of Law, Bernát Török from the Institute of the Information Society... The panelists began by outlining the insidious ways in which disinformation and misinformation erode democratic processes.

They highlighted the corrosive effect of false narratives on public trust, emphasizing how easily manipulated information can skew public perception and undermine faith in institutions. This erosion of trust, they argued, creates fertile ground for political polarization and social division, making it increasingly difficult to engage in constructive dialogue and reach consensus on critical issues. The discussion also emphasized the particular vulnerability of elections and policy-making to disinformation campaigns, noting how bad actors can exploit the information ecosystem to manipulate public opinion and influence electoral outcomes. Examples were provided of recent elections globally where disinformation played a significant role in shaping public discourse and potentially swaying results. Beyond the immediate impact on elections, the panelists explored the long-term consequences of disinformation for democratic self-governance. They argued that the constant barrage of false and misleading information can lead to a state of "information overload," where citizens become overwhelmed and disengaged, making it difficult to discern truth from falsehood.

This, in turn, can lead to apathy and cynicism, undermining civic participation and weakening the foundations of democratic societies. The panelists underscored the need for robust civic education programs that equip citizens with critical thinking skills to navigate the complex information landscape and identify manipulative tactics. They emphasized the importance of empowering individuals to become informed consumers of information, capable of evaluating the credibility of sources and distinguishing fact from fiction. The conversation then shifted to exploring actionable strategies for mitigating the threat of disinformation while simultaneously upholding fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression. The panelists recognized the inherent tension between combating disinformation and protecting free speech, acknowledging that any solution must strike a delicate balance. They discussed a range of potential approaches, from regulatory frameworks that address the spread of disinformation online to public awareness campaigns that promote media literacy and critical thinking.

The discussion explored the potential role of social media platforms in combating disinformation and the need for greater transparency and accountability from these powerful actors. The panelists also touched upon the potential of using fact-checking organizations and other independent bodies to verify information and debunk false narratives. The event fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas among the panelists and the audience, highlighting the complexities involved in addressing this pressing challenge. Participants engaged in lively discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding content moderation, the role of government in regulating online platforms, and the importance of international cooperation in combating disinformation campaigns that transcend national borders. The panelists stressed the urgency of this issue, emphasizing that effective solutions require a multi-pronged approach involving governments, technology companies, civil society organizations, and individuals. They called for greater collaboration and information sharing between these stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies that can effectively counter the spread of disinformation and safeguard democratic values.

Two weeks after the 2024 elections last November, the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University conducted a survey of 800 U.S. adults to learn how the election had affected their level of trust in government and in sources of information. The poll was conducted from Nov. 19–23 in partnership with Schoen Cooperman Research, a strategic consulting firm headquartered in New York. Its key findings point to growing concern about government effectiveness and messaging. A plurality of Americans engaged by the survey said their trust in government had decreased.

Decline in trust varied greatly by political party and gender. Women and Democrats said they trust government less in the wake of the election, while men and Republicans expressed increased confidence in political leaders. Many respondents told pollsters they expect government effectiveness to improve now that the election has been decided. But again, opinions are sharply divided along partisan lines. The survey results also indicate a broadening crisis of confidence in traditional sources of public information, with a plurality of respondents reporting that they trust neither the government nor news organizations to provide truthful... This study uses data from the Survey Series on People and their Communities (SSPC) to explore how Canadians are navigating the complexities of today’s information environment.

Specifically, it examines the characteristics of those who reported having high levels of concern about misinformation online and how this concern may relate to perceptions of media trustworthiness, confidence in institutions, hopefulness about national... The information landscape has changed dramatically in the past twenty years, with news and information readily available at our fingertips. Research has shown that many Canadians now rely on online platforms as their main source of information. A recent studyNote found that close to 6 in 10 Canadians got their news and information from the Internet (33%) or social media (24%), with the remainder relying on more traditional sources such as... With an increased convenience and volume of online information in our current digital era comes greater opportunities for the spread of misinformation,Note which refers to news or information that is verifiably false or inaccurate. Indeed, awareness of and concern about misinformation are growing, but its impacts on Canadian society are still being explored.

In 2023, 59% of Canadians reported being very or extremely concerned about misinformation online and 43% of Canadians found it harder to distinguish between true and false news or information compared to three years... Using data from the 2023-24 Survey Series on People and their Communities, this study provides new insights about Canadians who express greater concern over misinformation online, which can be helpful for understanding the broader... The first section of this article examines how having high levels of concern over misinformation differs across population groups. As some studies suggest that misinformation can reduce trust in the media, erode public confidence in institutions, and potentially undermine social cohesion and other indicators of well-being,Note the second section considers how concern over... In 2023, nearly 6 in 10 Canadians (59%) reported that they were very or extremely concerned about the presence of misinformation online. Another 27% reported that they were somewhat concerned, meanwhile 14% of Canadians said that they were not very or not at all concerned about online misinformation.

Sign up to receive email updates from the Misinformation Dashboard that explore trends and analysis related to falsehoods and rumors regarding the candidates and voting. Here is the running list of every piece of election-related viral misinformation we could find

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This, In Turn, Can Lead To Apathy And Cynicism, Undermining

This, in turn, can lead to apathy and cynicism, undermining civic participation and weakening the foundations of democratic societies. The panelists underscored the need for robust civic education programs that equip citizens with critical thinking skills to navigate the complex information landscape and identify manipulative tactics. They emphasized the importance of empowering individuals to bec...