Political Rumors

Why debunked political rumours persist and how to combat them

Political rumours and misinformation pollute the political landscape. This is not a recent phenomenon; before the currently rampant and unfounded rumours about a stolen election and vote-rigging, there were other rumours that continued to spread even after they were thoroughly debunked, including doubts about 9/11 (an "inside job") and the furore over President Obama's birthplace and birth certificate. If misinformation crowds out the truth, how can Americans communicate with one another about important issues? In Political Rumors, Adam Berinsky examines why political rumours exist and persist despite their unsubstantiated and refuted claims, who is most likely to believe them, and how to combat them.

Drawing on original survey and experimental data, Berinsky shows that a tendency toward conspiratorial thinking and vehement partisan attachment fuel belief in rumours. Yet the reach of rumours is wide, and Berinsky argues that in fighting misinformation, it is as important to target the undecided and the uncertain as it is the true believers. We're all vulnerable to misinformation, and public scepticism about the veracity of political facts is damaging to democracy. Moreover, in a world where most people simply don't pay attention to politics, political leaders are often guilty of disseminating false information—and failing to correct it when it is proven wrong. Berinsky suggests that we should focus on the messenger as much as the message of rumours. Just as important as how misinformation is debunked is who does the debunking.