Social media’s contribution to political misperceptions in U.S. Presidential elections

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213500
• Publication Date: 2019-03-27T18:51:25Z
• Authors: R. Kelly Garrett
• Keywords: Presidential election; Media Bias; Survey data collection

There is considerable concern about the role that social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, play in promoting misperceptions during political campaigns. These technologies are widely used, inaccurate information flowing across them has a high profile. This research uses three-wave panel surveys conducted with representative samples of Americans both 2012 2016 U.S. Presidential elections to assess whether use media for promoted endorsement falsehoods major party candidates or important campaign issues. Fixed effects regression helps ensure observed not due individual differences. Results indicate had small but significant influence on President Obama election, this effect was most pronounced among strong partisans. Social no belief accuracy Republican candidate election. The survey focused evidence influenced these topics aggregate, users were unique. by group reduced issue relative those who only used other media. results demonstrate can alter citizens' willingness endorse an often small.