Unpacking disinformation as social media discourse
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Johan Farkas
Abstract
In this chapter, we examine the role of Discourse Studies in social media disinformation research. While currently underrepresented, Discourse Studies can provide key insights into why disinformation gains traction through credibility building, tapping into existing political narratives and stereotypes. Discourse Studies, we argue, can also bring much-needed attention to the constitutive role of antagonism in disinformation and to the connection between political practices, power relations and platform designs; aspects that are often overlooked. Drawing on three empirical cases – revolving around the Russian Internet Research Agency, fake Muslim Facebook pages and far-right conspiracy theories disguised as tabloid news – the chapter aims to provide a clearer view of the application of Discourse Studies (in its various forms) to disinformation.
Abstract
In this chapter, we examine the role of Discourse Studies in social media disinformation research. While currently underrepresented, Discourse Studies can provide key insights into why disinformation gains traction through credibility building, tapping into existing political narratives and stereotypes. Discourse Studies, we argue, can also bring much-needed attention to the constitutive role of antagonism in disinformation and to the connection between political practices, power relations and platform designs; aspects that are often overlooked. Drawing on three empirical cases – revolving around the Russian Internet Research Agency, fake Muslim Facebook pages and far-right conspiracy theories disguised as tabloid news – the chapter aims to provide a clearer view of the application of Discourse Studies (in its various forms) to disinformation.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Connecting the digital with the social in digital discourse 1
- Digital distribution processes and “new” research tools in SM-CDS 15
- Digital practice as discriminatory discourse 38
- Social media soft affective politics through discursive and algorithmic synchronization 60
- Towards an ethnographic approach to social media discourses 83
- Unpacking disinformation as social media discourse 107
- Language typology as a discursive affordance in digital discourse 127
- Online counterspeech and the targeting of digital discourses of racism in New Zealand 146
- Sexism in digital discourses of women 167
- A journal of impossible things 187
- Index 209
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Connecting the digital with the social in digital discourse 1
- Digital distribution processes and “new” research tools in SM-CDS 15
- Digital practice as discriminatory discourse 38
- Social media soft affective politics through discursive and algorithmic synchronization 60
- Towards an ethnographic approach to social media discourses 83
- Unpacking disinformation as social media discourse 107
- Language typology as a discursive affordance in digital discourse 127
- Online counterspeech and the targeting of digital discourses of racism in New Zealand 146
- Sexism in digital discourses of women 167
- A journal of impossible things 187
- Index 209
