Complex Perceptions of Social Media Misinformation in China
Overview
Dr. Zhicong Lu, an assistant professor at George Mason University, delivered a guest lecture on social media misinformation in China, presenting findings from two studies that explored user perceptions and trust in different media sources. The research highlighted the unique information ecosystem in China, including the role of traditional news outlets, influencers, and fact-checkers across various social media platforms. The lecture, part of a series organized by the IS&T Lab and Simmons ASIS&T Student Chapter, discussed how Chinese users engage with health and COVID-19-related information, with participants showing a preference for positive energy content and official media sources.
Chinese Social Media Misinformation
Zhicong presented research on social media misinformation in China, focusing on the unique information ecosystem and user perceptions. They discussed the different platforms used in China, such as WeChat, Weibo, and Toutiao, and explained how users access and share news through public accounts and official media. The study found that Chinese social media users primarily encounter health-related misinformation, with few reports of political misinformation. Zhicong also described the presence of censorship, fact-checking services, and astroturfing in the Chinese social media landscape.
The first study, conducted in 2018, explored participants’ trust in official versus citizen media, their attitudes toward fact-checking, and perceptions of astroturfing. Participants trusted official media more and were skeptical of astroturfing, often attributing pro-government comments to patriotism rather than manipulation. The second study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, focused on the “positive energy” discourse and how it influenced Chinese citizens’ evaluation and sharing of COVID-19-related information. Participants relied on official media and subject matter experts for COVID-19 information but expressed skepticism toward misinformation, particularly from citizen media and unauthorized experts. Both studies highlighted the complex interplay between trust in media sources, perceptions of misinformation, and the influence of governmental discourse on social media behavior.
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