Opinion manipulation on Farsi Twitter

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26921-5
• Publication Date: 2023-01-06T20:02:45Z
• Authors: Amirhossein Farzam; Parham Moradi; Saeedeh Mohammadi; Zahra Padar; Alexandra A. Siegel
• Keywords: Dynamics; Sentiment Analysis; Diaspora

Abstract For Iranians and the Iranian diaspora, Farsi Twittersphere provides an important alternative to state media outlet for political discourse. But this understudied online space has become opinion manipulation battleground, with diverse actors using inauthentic accounts advance their goals shape narratives. Examining trending discussions crossing social cleavages in Iran, we explore how dynamics of differ across issue areas. Our analysis suggests that by is more prevalent divisive than non-divisive or apolitical discussions. We show Twitter’s network structures help reinforce content propagated clusters Analyzing both structure Twittersphere, work contributes a growing body literature exploring manipulation, while improving our understanding information controlled digital age.