Trust, Doubt, and Influence: The role of social media on Public Perception of Political News

Abstract

In the digital era, social media has emerged as an important platform for political communication and information dissemination. This study investigates how social media platforms influence the public’s perception of political news. Drawing from a survey of 100 participants and using a quantitative approach, the research explores consumption habits, trust levels, engagement behaviors, and the perceived credibility of political content. The findings reveal that while social media is a widely used source for political news, it does not significantly alter political opinions or voting behavior. Trust in content remains moderate, with misinformation being prevalent and influencers having limited sway. This study underscores the necessity of media literacy to help users discern credible information in a landscape saturated with both factual and opinion-driven content.