What is the disinformation problem? Reviewing the dominant paradigm and motivating an alternative sociopolitical view

Abstract

Disinformation research has proliferated in reaction to widespread false, problematic beliefs purported to explain major social phenomena. Yet while the effects of disinformation are well-known, there is less consensus about its causes; the research spans several disciplines, each focusing on different pieces. This article contributes to this growing field by reviewing prevalent U.S. disinformation discourse (academic writing, media, and corporate and government narrative) and outlining the dominant understanding, or paradigm, of the disinformation problem by analyzing cross-disciplinary discourse about the content, individual, group, and institutional layers of the problem. The result is an individualistic explanation largely blaming social media, malicious individuals or nations, and irrational people. Yet this understanding has shortcomings: notably, that its limited, individualistic views of truth and rationality obscures the influence of oppressive ideologies and media or domestic actors in creating flawed worldviews and spreading disinformation. The article then concludes by putting forth an alternative, sociopolitical paradigm that allows subjective models of the world to govern rationality and information processing -- largely informed by social and group identity -- which are being formed and catered to by institutional actors (corporations, media, political parties, and the government) to maintain or gain legitimacy for their actions.