The climate crisis and the glocal dynamics of misinformation
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Abstract
Introduction: Despite the urgency of the climate change issue, global efforts to intervene and mitigate its impacts have been systematically compromised by the spread of misinformation. Methodology: In this context, based on the misinformation content with most engagement on social media, published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese during 2023, we sought to identify trends, approaches, and divergences in order to reflect on global flows of climate misinformation. To do so, we collected data using the BuzzSumo tool and also adapted and applied an analytical protocol for analyzing this type of misinformation on digital platforms. Three categories were explored —senders, sources and typologies of misinformation— which allowed us to identify the glocal nature of climate misinformation. Results: The main findings point to the predominance of traditional and alternative media in the dissemination of climate change misinformation in different national contexts. These media present themselves as supposed discursive authorities on the subject, while exploiting the credibility of scientists, researchers, and academic institutions to legitimize misinformation narratives. Furthermore, significant variations in misinformation patterns were identified according to the cultural and linguistic context analyzed. Discussion and conclusions: The data suggest that, while this phenomenon maintains common discursive strategies on a global scale, it is also influenced by local sociocultural specificities.
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Funding data
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Grant numbers CNPq, 465658/2014-8 -
Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Grant numbers FAPERJ, E-26/200.89972018
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