While information on political and societal issues is abundantly available, it is also increasingly challenged and in some instances avoided. Mis- and disinformation are arguably on the rise and particular segments of the population strongly believe in alternative truths. And while news avoidance can also have positive consequences and can contribute to mental well-being, this type of behaviour is often associated with lower levels of political interest and knowledge.
This subtheme focuses on the question how people deal with information from the media, how they decide on what they believe and want to consume and what the broader implications of those processes are in terms of politicization and polarization around themes such as climate change and vaccinations. Additionally, the identification and prevalence of mis- and disinformation and conspiracy theories, both in social and traditional media is investigated.
Research within this subtheme include studies that focus on the content and effects of traditional and social media, on different aspects of politicization and polarization as well as on news consumption. In all these studies, the dynamic and volatile nature of many of those phenomena is of central concern.
Data-Driven Democracy Lab 