Effects of misinformation and disinformation on democratic processes: Theoretical approach to the roles of digital democracy and the public sphere

Ivanka Pjesivac & Alexia Little (Ph.D student) (April 2024). “Effects of misinformation and disinformation on democratic processes: Theoretical approach to the roles of digital democracy and the public sphere,” paper presented at the annual meeting of the Broadcast Association Education (BEA) conference. Las Vegas, NV.

Abstract: This paper examines the role of misinformation and disinformation in redefining the theoretical models of democracies and the digital public sphere, by using a two-fold goal. First, it positions the concept of digital democracy as the most useful theoretical model to explain the current relationship between democracies, misinformation and disinformation, and the media. Then, through the review of the current empirical academic literature, it identifies seven main areas important for democratic processes which have been affected by citizens’ belief in false messages: electoral process, trust in officials and institutions, healthcare system, educational system, economic system, media system, and interpersonal relations. These effects are situated within the theoretical framework of digital democracy and a newly formed culture of distrust. As such, the paper contributes to theoretical grounding of the currently fragmented literature from political science, communications, media studies, and psychology in order to explain the relationship between democratic processes, digital media environments, and mis- and disinformation.