2026/07/01 by Emelie Karlsson · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Social Media and Politics #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Media Studies and Communication
paper · doi:10.1177/14614448251410509
openalex publication_date 2026/07/01 · openalex created_date 2026/07/08 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
How does media discourse on digital election interference affect political polarisation? This study investigates this question using a survey experiment conducted in the United Kingdom in 2024. Respondents were exposed to fictitious news stories about digital interference during the 2019 UK general election, and the treatment varied information about which party benefitted from the interference. Attitudes were subsequently measured across ideological, affective and perceived polarisation. The results indicate that news about digital election interference does not increase polarisation at an aggregate level. However, respondents reported higher levels of perceived societal division and affective polarisation against ideological opponents when the opposing party benefitted from the interference. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions regarding digital harms and democratic interference, pointing to the need to consider the effects of interference in democratic processes that stem from the public discourse on the event.