Combatting Misinformation in Marginalized Communities: Insights from Interdisciplinary Experts Through In-depth Interviews

Abstract

Misinformation is becoming a crucial problem in the digital areas and has been affecting digital media users' social and political behavior. The academics keenly focused on the various types of information in the US presidential elections in 2016 and the pandemic. It has become an important issue not only in developed countries but also in third-world countries. The marginalized communities have socioeconomic, religious, political, educational, and cultural factors, which may increase the exposure to misinformation among social media users. To find out the conceivable solutions to minimize misinformation in marginalized groups by focusing on the causes and impacts, this research aims to conduct in-depth interviews of (N = 15) experts across various fields such as communication, media, psychology, IT, and computer sciences. This comprehensive study will help to understand the psychological mechanisms behind the dissemination and exposure of misinformation, moreover, data experts will provide support in investigating the designs, trends, and the power of misinformation through the analysis. The ultimate goal of the study would be to provide effective approaches and solutions for marginalized communities to minimize the diffusion of misinformation. The insights collected from the interviews could provide support for the development of awareness programs, educational strategies, and training sessions.