IMPACT OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED FAKE NEWS ON PUBLIC OPINION: A CASE STUDY OF DELIBERATE DISSEMINATION OF DISINFORMATION

Abstract

The contemporary world faces a significant challenge in combating the proliferation of fake news, a term with varying interpretations among scholars. At its core, fake news refers to factually incorrect information lacking verifiable sources or citations and may serve propaganda or clickbait purposes. In recent years, fake news has gained momentum, particularly through social media platforms, creating a broader context of misinformation and disinformation. This paper conducts a case study analysis of the “Babale” media narrative to examine how politically motivated fake news has wielded a substantial impact on public opinion. This influence has manifested in confusion and heightened aggression in communication and, in certain instances, has been utilized to incite hatred toward the ruling party. The deliberate intent to sway public opinion through this case underscores the media's susceptibility to becoming a “vehicle for disseminating fake news” and its role in deepening the divide within public discourse. The central inquiry of this paper revolves around the effects of fake news on public opinion and its subsequent implications for social and political relationships. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data, along with a review of relevant literature in the field, has contributed to the formulation of the main hypothesis. The core proposition posits that fake news detrimentally influences individuals on a personal level and extends its impact on society as a whole. This influence is typified by an escalation in communicative aggression, particularly when such disinformation is produced by political entities. Furthermore, the audience's or commentators' responses to one another exacerbate the existing discourse.