The Networked Trolling of Critical Journalists and News Organizations in Iraq-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

The Networked Trolling of Critical Journalists and News Organizations in Iraq

Published:2023-11-11 Issue:4 Volume:4 Page:1130-1140
ISSN:2673-5172
Container-title:Journalism and Media
language:en
Short-container-title:Journalism and Media

Author:

Al-Rawi Ahmed¹^ORCID,Tenove Chris²^ORCID,Klein Peter³

Affiliation:

1. School of Communication, Faculty of Communication, Arts, and Technology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC V5A 1S6, Canada

2. Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

3. School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Abstract

In this study, we have identified a Twitter network of bad actors mostly affiliated with Iraqi militias that are closely connected to the federal Iraqi government. Using disinformation and threats of legal action, these users often target journalists and news organizations that are critical of them. Three datasets were collected totaling about 16,000 tweets by using 6 Arabic hashtags. We found three major themes: public shaming and personal attacks; legal threats and misinformation accusations; and glorifying Shiite heroism and promoting conspiracies. These bad actors also created a coordinated attack against journalists, news organizations, and human rights activists and even the UN representative in Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert, falsely accusing her of fabricating the 2021 federal election results.

Funder

Digital Citizen Contribution Program, Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Medical Assisting and Transcription,Medical Terminology

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5172/4/4/72/pdf

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