Impact of information consumption in social media on the perception of misinformation in the Mexican election context in 2021

Abstract

The appearance and consolidation of social media as a means of obtaining information has promoted the phenomenon of disinformation through the creation, production, and diffusion of fake news. This study is based on the hypothesis that the perception of misinformation through
social media and networks is related to the levels of information consumption through these platforms, particularly in an electoral context. For this, a national questionnaire was applied at the conclusion of the 2021 Mexican federal elections. According to the findings obtained from the analyses carried out, it was possible to accept this hypothesis, which denotes the undoubted role that disinformation plays during electoral processes. Being a relatively new line of research, the literature on the subject is limited, for which it is necessary to continue deepening the effects that misinformation generates on the political attitudes of citizens.