Fake news and democratic elections: a scoping review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Introduction:  This article presents a scoping review of the literature on the relationship between fake news and elections, focusing on the research methods most used, the main theoretical frameworks adopted, and the key themes highlighted by scholars studying this connection. Our study also aims to contribute to the broader debate on the challenges that contemporary democracies face in an era of widespread disinformation.

Materials and methods:  We selected the articles for this review through searches on Scopus and Web of Science, using the query string “fake news” AND election, and covering publications from 2014 to 2022. To be included, studies had to meet three main criteria: (a) they needed to present original empirical research based on primary or secondary data sources; (b) their analysis had to explicitly examine the relationship between fake news and democratic electoral processes; and (c) their research questions had to clearly focus on the connection between fake news and elections. The final sample consisted of 54 articles, which we analyzed using SPSS, NVivo, and VOSviewer.

Results:  Most studies adopted an exploratory approach. Many confirmed the relevance of fake news in understanding the current political landscape, although not all demonstrated its direct impact on electoral outcomes. A smaller number of studies downplayed the influence of fake news, often relying on quantitative methods that focused solely on measuring the percentage reach of false news. However, the limited effects found in some cases do not imply that fake news is irrelevant, especially given the systemic and amplifying nature of online environments.

Discussion:  This review underscores the need for a broader, more integrated approach to studying the interaction between fake news and various aspects of the political system. The articles reviewed suggest that the most significant harm caused by fake news is the erosion of public political discourse. Two primary negative effects emerged: (a) the distortion of factual information that underpins public debate, leading to distorted understandings and poor collective decisions; and (b) the emotional mobilization triggered by fake news, which can have major political consequences, even when citizens recognize the content as false. In this way, fake news has profoundly impacted both the rational and emotional dimensions of contemporary political interactions.

Keywords
fake news; elections; democracy; disinformation; political communication