The Computational Propaganda Awareness Scale and Its Impact on Public Opinion

Öz

Social networks have become vital platforms during election periods, transforming traditional political communication into “digital propaganda” and “computational propaganda” (CP). CP involves the use of bots to spread propaganda, significantly influencing public opinion by acting as perceived sources of information. Studies reveal that bots, particularly active during elections, serve as tools for societal political engineering. Understanding CP is essential to comprehend the spread of misinformation and its political and social consequences. To measure this awareness, The Computational Propaganda Awareness Scale (CPAS) was developed, comprising 17 items across five factors. The data of 505 people with the CPA scale were analysed in the Jamovi programme. The total variance explained by the 5 factors of the CPAS is 56.4%. The study also examined the link between CP awareness and public monitoring behavior. Public opinion was categorized into “spectators” and “reactors,” with the model correctly identifying 50.4% of spectators and 62.1% of reactors. This research aims to enhance public awareness, promoting a more informed society capable of resisting CP’s manipulative effects. By identifying these dynamics, it contributes to fostering critical engagement with technology in political and communication contexts.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Social Networks
• Political Communication
• Computational Propaganda
• Bots
• Artificial Popularity

Bilişimsel Propaganda Farkındalık Ölçeği ve Kamuoyu Üzerindeki Etkisi

Öz

Sosyal ağlar seçim dönemlerinin önemli iletişim kanalları haline gelmiştir. Yeni siyasal iletişim faaliyetleri önce “dijital propaganda”ya ardından da “bilişimsel propaganda”ya evrilmiştir. Dijital ortamın propagandası, bilişimsel propaganda, botlar aracılığıyla yürütülen yeni bir propaganda türüdür. Bireylerin bilerek ya da bilmeyerek bilgi kaynağı olarak kabul edebildiği botlar bu sebeple kamuoyu üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olmaktadır. Özellikle seçim dönemlerinde aktifleşen botların, toplum üzerinde siyasal mühendislik aracı olarak kullanıldığı çeşitli çalışmalarda gösterilmiştir. Bilişimsel propaganda farkındalığı, yanlış bilgilerin yayılmasında ve etkileşimlerinin sonuçlarında ne olduğunu görebilmek, teknolojinin bireylerle iletişiminde ve siyasetteki etkilerini anlayabilmek adına önem taşımaktadır. Bu bağlamda Bilişimsel Propaganda Farkındalık Ölçeği geliştirilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda toplam 17 maddeli ve 5 faktörlü Bilişimsel Propaganda Farkındalık Ölçeği yapısı ortaya çıkmıştır. BPF ölçeği ile 505 kişinin verisi, Jamovi programında analiz edilmiştir. Bilişimsel Propaganda Farkındalık Ölçeği’ne dair 5 faktörün açıkladığı toplam varyans %56,4’tür. Ayrıca BPF puanları ile kamuoyunun izleme durumu arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Bilişimsel propaganda sonucu kamuoyu, “izleyici kalanlar” ve “tepki verenler” olarak ikiye ayrılmaktadır. Araştırmamızda geliştirilen modelin, izleyici kalanları doğru olarak tespit etme oranı %50,4, tepki verenleri doğru olarak tespit etme oranı ise %62,1’dir. Araştırma, bilişimsel propaganda ile mücadelede bireylerin farkındalık düzeyini artırarak daha bilinçli bir kamuoyu oluşturulmasına katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sosyal Ağlar
• Siyasal İletişim
• Bilişimsel Propaganda
• Botlar
• Yapay popülerlik

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