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The Liar's Dividend: The Impact of Deepfakes and Fake News on Trust in Political Discourse

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  • Schiff, Kaylyn Jackson

    (Emory University)

  • Schiff, Daniel S.

    (Purdue University)

  • Bueno, Natalia

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of misinformation about misinformation, or politicians falsely claiming that stories are fake news or deepfakes. Strategic and false claims that stories are fake news or deepfakes may benefit politicians by helping them maintain support after a scandal. We propose that this benefit, known as the "liar's dividend," may be achieved through two strategies employed by politicians: by invoking informational uncertainty or by rallying core supporters in opposition. We administer five survey experiments to over 15,000American adults detailing hypothetical politician responses to video or text news stories depicting real politician scandals. We find that claims of misinformation representing both strategies increase politician support across partisan subgroups. These strategies are effective against text-based reports of scandals but are largely ineffective against video evidence and do not reduce general trust in media. Finally, these false claims produce greater dividends for politicians than alternative responses to scandal, such as remaining silent or apologizing.

Suggested Citation

  • Schiff, Kaylyn Jackson & Schiff, Daniel S. & Bueno, Natalia, 2023. "The Liar's Dividend: The Impact of Deepfakes and Fake News on Trust in Political Discourse," SocArXiv x43ph, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:x43ph
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/x43ph
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adam J. Berinsky & Michele F. Margolis & Michael W. Sances, 2014. "Separating the Shirkers from the Workers? Making Sure Respondents Pay Attention on Self‐Administered Surveys," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(3), pages 739-753, July.
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    1. How AI deepfakes threaten the 2024 elections
      by Rehan Mirza in Journalist's Resource on 2024-02-16 18:41:26

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