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Online disinformation: an economic analysis

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  • Gaetano Lisi

Abstract

Internet and social networks have hugely increased the quantity of information available to a decision-maker. Unfortunately, this huge quantity of information also includes fake news and false news. Therefore, a decision-maker needs to carefully select the reliable sources of information. This theoretical and empirical paper studies the effects of online disinformation from an economic perspective. Precisely, it introduces the role of disinformation in the choice of the optimal level of information. In the presence of disinformation, of course, information is below its optimal level. Furthermore, if disinformation is regarded as true, a problem of poor quality of information exists in the economy. However, education helps to recognise disinformation. An empirical analysis substantiates the main insights of the theoretical model.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaetano Lisi, 2023. "Online disinformation: an economic analysis," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 12(4), pages 266-276.
    • Handle: RePEc:ove:journl:aid:19414
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    File URL: https://reunido.uniovi.es/index.php/EBL/article/view/19414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lei Hou & Xue Pan & Kecheng Liu, 2018. "Balancing the popularity bias of object similarities for personalised recommendation," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 91(3), pages 1-7, March.
    2. Felipe Almeida & Valéria Mortari, 2021. "Smartphones, Social Networks, and Fake News: Institutional Economics Approach to Decision Making in the Twenty-First Century," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(2), pages 342-348, April.
    3. João Pedro Baptista & Anabela Gradim, 2020. "Understanding Fake News Consumption: A Review," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-22, October.
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