It is even less clear what impact disinformation might have on the outcome of an election, as the main determinant to an individual voter’s choice is just party identification, Buchler added.
“It’s hard to say how many votes are swayed by misinformation or disinformation. But in a close election – as the 2024 election is likely to be – in principle, even a small number of votes could determine an outcome,” he told CNA.
FALSEHOODS COULD CAUSE CHAOS
Experts said that once the disinformation is out there – whether the goal is to support a candidate or to simply sow chaos – it can easily spread organically.
“Probably, most people who spread disinformation (are) doing it unknowingly,” said Darren Linvill, co-director of Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub, adding that some may be locked in an echo chamber.
“They do it because the message confirms their existing beliefs. It makes them feel good about their existing beliefs, and they share it for those reasons.”
Source: CNA
