Beyond fake news. Governments, press and disinformation through international history

Rossi, Christian

;Borzoni, Gianluca

;Onnis, Barbara

2021-01-01

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Abstract

This book represents the main outcome of a multidisciplinary research project, started in 2018 and funded by the Regional Government of Sardinia, aimed at investigating the impact of fake news and disinformation on public opinion, governments, and in international relations in European, American and Asian contexts. The phenomenon of fake news is not new, but current technologies have contributed to amplify both its scope and diffusion, influencing the public opinion and the functioning of the democratic process. In particular, the advent of the internet and the start of the new era of social networks charged governments’ cultural diplomacy and media policy with new challenges and with the necessity to adopt legal frameworks and implement strategies to deal with fake news. The use of case studies will help readers to better understand impacts and outcomes on both the domestic policies and international relations, throughout history and with reference to different political contexts.