Paper Number
ICIS2025-2657
Paper Type
Short
Abstract
Online social networks (OSNs) shape public discourse and facilitate the spread of misinformation, leading to polarization and the formation of echo chambers. While credible sources are generally viewed as vaccines, they can also act as vectors of misinformation. However, the impact of their endorsement or debunking on user stance and echo chamber dynamics remains unclear. This study analyzes cross-sectional data from the Jiang Ping incident, a nationwide misinformation case in Chinese OSNs, to examine how credible sources influence user polarization and echo chambers over time. We assess their dual role in amplifying and correcting misinformation by tracking changes in stance polarity and interaction patterns across time windows. As the first empirical study of a credible-source misinformation event on this scale, this study offers new insights into the dynamics of credible-source misinformation and contribute to ongoing discussions on platform governance and media literacy.
Recommended Citation
Li, Syrios Siyao; Wang, Sufang; Li, Yuanyuan; and Lee, Matthew K.O., "The Credibility Dilemma in OSNs: Credible Sources as Both Vector and Vaccine for Misinformation" (2025). ICIS 2025 Proceedings. 16.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2025/is_media/is_media/16
The Credibility Dilemma in OSNs: Credible Sources as Both Vector and Vaccine for Misinformation
Online social networks (OSNs) shape public discourse and facilitate the spread of misinformation, leading to polarization and the formation of echo chambers. While credible sources are generally viewed as vaccines, they can also act as vectors of misinformation. However, the impact of their endorsement or debunking on user stance and echo chamber dynamics remains unclear. This study analyzes cross-sectional data from the Jiang Ping incident, a nationwide misinformation case in Chinese OSNs, to examine how credible sources influence user polarization and echo chambers over time. We assess their dual role in amplifying and correcting misinformation by tracking changes in stance polarity and interaction patterns across time windows. As the first empirical study of a credible-source misinformation event on this scale, this study offers new insights into the dynamics of credible-source misinformation and contribute to ongoing discussions on platform governance and media literacy.
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