Researchers at Kozminski University in Warsaw are identifying communities that spread fake news on social media. The research is being conducted as part of the MEDfake project, funded by the National Centre for Research and Development. The aim is to develop a toolkit to verify medical fake news and cause a decrease in vaccination refusals.

Researchers from the Warsaw university have identified a set of techniques by which false information is propagated. They include using emotionally charged language, polarising groups of internet users or reinforcing conspiracy theories. “Disinformation engineers” also make use of information bubbles, discrediting counter-speakers and impersonating others, such as famous people.

As Dr Leon Ciechanowski, a data analyst at Kozminski University, notes, it is characteristic of those spreading false information about vaccination to become politicised. The content of posts often includes party names or references to details of social policy. In contrast, the opposing group of vaccination supporters expressed themselves more neutrally, posting general information about and against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers also noticed that the pro-vaccine groups are keen to engage with people outside their information ‘bubble’. Meanwhile, the anti-vaccine group is far more closed and characterised by distrust of institutions including social, scientific and political organisations.

In addition to the anti- and pro-vaccine and anti- and pro-Ukrainian groups, the juxtaposition will also include other communities discussing, for example, climate change, electric car manufacturers and disinformation. The researchers analysed 3.5 million social media posts and counted that anti-vaccinationists represent less than one fifth of the authors observed during the study. Instead, they are extremely active and account for as much as 70 % of the content in this group.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński