Theorizing Mediated Information Distortion

<p>This book explores the phenomenon of distortion of information through media via the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways in which relevant information distortion and virality have occurred in regard to the disease and its risks. </p><p>Positing that the interrelated processes of misinformation disinformation fake news and conspiracy theories are related forms of distortion of information through media (DIM) and can only be understood through a multilevel theoretical model that incorporates message-based individual difference social network-based societal and geotechnical factors Brian H. Spitzberg develops an integrative well-argued and well-evidenced framework within which these issues can and should be addressed. </p><p>This book offers a model for further research across such disciplines as communication journalism/media studies political science sociology cognitive psychology social psychology evolutionary psychology public health big data analytics social network analytics computational linguistics and geographic information sciences and will interest researchers and students in those areas.</p>