Scientific Responsible: EDOARDO GRILLO

Project objectives: Over the last decades, the digitalization of information and the rise of social networks have drastically changed communication. This is particularly true in politics. Politicians can now reach a large part of the electorate through direct, unmediated messages over social media. Traditional media adapted providing information in real time on their digital outlets. Citizens have become information providers themselves by generating and sharing news. The increase in the flow of information made it hard to verify their accuracy. This increased the scope for fake news and gave information providers (whether media or politicians) more opportunities to steer voters’ beliefs in their preferred direction. In this research project, we will address this issue by studying political persuasion, the factors that enable it, and its implications on the ability of voters to hold politicians accountable and to limit their extractive behavior. Our project will develop along two complementary research lines. The first research line will focus on persuasion during electoral campaigns. The second research line will study how the ideological slant of information providers affects the credibility of political messages and the ability of the constituency to hold politicians accountable and to make informed decisions.

Grantor: MUR – PRIN

Duration: 28/9/2023 - 27/9/2025

dSEA staff involved:

• Edoardo Grillo
• Giacomo Battiston