HAARP Conspiracy Theories and their influence on Twitter during the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquakes"

What is it about?

The document analyzes the conspiracy theory linking the HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in February 2023. The authors monitored over 500,000 tweets across 11 languages during a two-week period, employing various analytical methods to assess how emotional content influenced the spread of this disinformation. The study highlights the global nature of such conspiracy theories and their impact on public perception.

Featured Image

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Understanding the dynamics of conspiracy theories, especially in the context of natural disasters, is crucial for combating misinformation. This research sheds light on how social media platforms like Twitter facilitate the rapid dissemination of false narratives, which can polarize public opinion and hinder effective communication during crises. By identifying patterns in disinformation campaigns, the study contributes to developing strategies for countering such narratives and promoting factual information.

Perspectives

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As an investigator in this Project, I express concern over the growing influence of conspiracy theories in shaping public discourse, particularly through social media. I emphasize the emotional appeal of such narratives, which can lead to widespread misinformation and societal polarization., and we advocate for robust methodologies like DISARM to analyze and counteract disinformation effectively, reflecting his commitment to enhancing media literacy and fostering informed public dialogue in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

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