Manipulation and radicalisation of information
Manipulation de l’information et radicalisation
Résumé
In an age where citizens are asked to decide, or at least to form an opinion on crucial issues which are frequently delicate and divisive, the widespread presence of misleading information has a deep impact on democracy. While misinformation and propaganda have long been recognized phenomena, recent years have witnessed a cloudier landscape where diverse narratives and meaning intertwine. The
purpose of the study, however, is not just to explore the relation among online misinformation, propaganda, and violent radicalisation, but to understand the effectiveness of the false narratives in the process of manipulation and radicalization of thinking. The study employs a qualitative methodology through the creation of semi-directive interviews with experts hailing from different disciplines. Although the relation between fake news and radicalization has not been scientifically established,
experts concur that false narratives contribute to cognitive closure and to the gradual adoption of rigid thinking.