Falling for Russian Propaganda: Understanding the Factors that Contribute to Belief in Pro-Kremlin Disinformation on Social Media

Author:

Soares Felipe Bonow1ORCID,Gruzd Anatoliy2ORCID,Mai Philip2

Affiliation:

1. University of the Arts London, UK

2. Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada

Abstract

As Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, social media was rife with pro-Kremlin disinformation. To effectively tackle the issue of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, this study examines the underlying reasons why some individuals are susceptible to false claims and explores ways to reduce their susceptibility. It uses linear regression analysis on data from a national survey of 1,500 adults (18+) to examine the factors that predict belief in pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives regarding the Russia–Ukraine war. Our research finds that belief in Pro-Kremlin disinformation is politically motivated and linked to users who: (1) hold conservative views, (2) trust partisan media, and (3) frequently share political opinions on social media. Our findings also show that exposure to disinformation is positively associated with belief in disinformation. Conversely, trust in mainstream media is negatively associated with belief in disinformation, offering a potential way to mitigate its impact.

Funder

part by The Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University and The Government of Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Computer Science Applications,Communication,Cultural Studies

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