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The Polarizing Impact of Political Disinformation and Hate Speech: A Cross-country Configural Narrative

Author

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  • Pramukh Nanjundaswamy Vasist

    (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode)

  • Debashis Chatterjee

    (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode)

  • Satish Krishnan

    (Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode)

Abstract

Information and communication technologies hold immense potential to enhance our lives and societal well-being. However, digital spaces have also emerged as a fertile ground for fake news campaigns and hate speech, aggravating polarization and posing a threat to societal harmony. Despite the fact that this dark side is acknowledged in the literature, the complexity of polarization as a phenomenon coupled with the socio-technical nature of fake news necessitates a novel approach to unravel its intricacies. In light of this sophistication, the current study employs complexity theory and a configurational approach to investigate the impact of diverse disinformation campaigns and hate speech in polarizing societies across 177 countries through a cross-country investigation. The results demonstrate the definitive role of disinformation and hate speech in polarizing societies. The findings also offer a balanced perspective on internet censorship and social media monitoring as necessary evils to combat the disinformation menace and control polarization, but suggest that such efforts may lend support to a milieu of hate speech that fuels polarization. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Pramukh Nanjundaswamy Vasist & Debashis Chatterjee & Satish Krishnan, 2024. "The Polarizing Impact of Political Disinformation and Hate Speech: A Cross-country Configural Narrative," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 663-688, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:26:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10796-023-10390-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-023-10390-w
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