Misinformation, Disinformation, and the Erosion of Institutional Trust: The Role of Social Media in Democracy

<p>In recent years, social media-driven misinformation and disinformation have helped erode public trust in democratic institutions. This thesis examines how constant exposure to false online content correlates with declining confidence in democracy and evaluates the roles of platforms, influencers, and mechanisms. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this thesis pairs a quantitative survey with a qualitative analysis of three disinformation case studies: the 2020 U.S. election and the “Stop the Steal” movement, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar crisis, and Russian denial of wartime atrocities in their invasion against Ukraine. Drawing on classical and modern propaganda theories (Lasswell, Herman & Chomsky, RAND’s Firehose model), the survey found only a weak, non-significant direct correlation between exposure and trust, suggesting that erosion may be indirect and cumulative and mediated by external factors.</p> <p>However, analysis of the case studies showcase how platforms and influencers on social media amplify the spread of false information, fostering partisan outrage and undermining social cohesion. Survey respondents held both platforms and influencers as equally responsible for spreading misinformation and disinformation, reflecting widespread concerns over their ability to manipulate public opinion and information. Furthermore, survey respondents reported a general pessimism about democracy’s overall future as whole. Together, these findings underscore that pervasive misinformation and disinformation gradually weakens and undermines democratic legitimacy over time</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

International Studies

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Murillo, Andres

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrea Molle
• Nancy Rios-Contreras
• Crystal Murphy

• Social Media
• Misinformation
• Disinformation
• Effects on Democratic Institutions
• International Relations

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/international_studies_theses/33

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.chapman.edu:international_studies_theses-1039