Misinformation and Its Impact on Contested Policy Issues: The Example of Migration Discourses

Nadejda Komendantova (), Dmitry Erokhin and Teresa Albano
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Nadejda Komendantova: Cooperation and Transformative Governance Group, Advancing Systems Analysis Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Dmitry Erokhin: Cooperation and Transformative Governance Group, Advancing Systems Analysis Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Schlossplatz 1, 2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Teresa Albano: Economic and Environmental Dimension, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Wallnerstrasse 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Misinformation, in the form of false or inaccurate information deliberately created and spread through various channels, including social media, has become pervasive in the context of migration. An analysis of 45,000 English tweets revealed a wide range of attitudes towards migrants, including the presence of misinformation, concerns, and positive and negative attitudes. This study acknowledges the negative effects of misinformation, such as the formation of preconditions that promote false representations of migrants, foster negative attitudes, and consolidate prejudices against them. Misinformation also leads to mistrust among migrants towards official authorities and creates an environment conducive to exploitation by smugglers and traffickers. To address these issues, this study suggests corrective measures, including raising awareness, promoting evidence-based reasoning, and facilitating diverse forms of interpersonal dialogue.

Keywords: migration; misinformation; contested policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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