Sahte Haberlerin Siyasal Gündem ve Kutuplaşma Üzerindeki Rolü: X Üzerinden Duygu Analizine Dayalı Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Post-truth (hakikat-sonrası) dönem, duyguların, inançların ve dezenformasyonun hakikati şekillendirdiği, siyasal gündemi etkilediği ve toplumsal kutuplaşmayı derinleştirdiği bir siyasal çerçeve üretmiştir. Bu bağlamda sosyal medya platformları, kullanıcıların siyasal aktörler olarak konumlandığı temel siyasal alanlar haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışma, sahte haberlerin siyasal etkilerini, 4 Mart 2024 tarihinde Trump destekçilerinin Afrika kökenli Amerikalı seçmenleri hedef alan bir dezenformasyon içeriğini yaydığı olaya odaklanan bir vaka analizi üzerinden incelemektedir. Duygu analizi yöntemi kullanılarak X (eski adıyla Twitter) kullanıcılarının sahte haberlere yönelik tutumları negatif, pozitif ve nötr olmak üzere üç kategori altında analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, sahte haberlerin karşıt duygusal tepkileri pekiştirerek siyasal kutuplaşmayı artırdığını ve siyasal gündem üzerinde etkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, post-truth dönemin demokrasi üzerindeki meydan okumalarına ilişkin literatürle uyumludur.

Keywords

• Post-truth dönem
• duygu
• dezenformasyon
• sahte haber
• duygu analizi

The Role of Fake News in Political Agenda and Polarization: Insights from Sentiment Analysis on X

Abstract

The post-truth era has created a political framework where emotions, beliefs, and disinformation shape truth, influence political agendas, and polarize society. In this framework social media platforms serve as key political arenas, with users acting as political actors. This study examines the political impact of fake news through a case study involving a March 4, 2024 incident, where Trump supporters shared disinformation targeting African American voters. Using sentiment analysis, it analyzed X (formerly Twitter) users’ attitudes towards fake news in three categories: Negative, positive and neutral. Findings reveal that fake news fosters political polarization by reinforcing opposing emotional reactions and impacting the political agenda. The results align with literature on the post-truth era’s democratic challenges.

Keywords

• Post-truth era
• emotion
• disinformation
• fake news
• sentiment analysis

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