Hoaxes and Headlines: Comparing News Framing and Political Narratives in Social Media

Abstract

The development of social media has accelerated the spread of hoax news, especially in the context of political narratives. The framing used in hoax news often differs from that used in mainstream journalism, creating polarization of public opinion. This study aims to examine the differences in framing between hoax news and news from mainstream media, and their impact on public political perceptions. By understanding these framing patterns, research can contribute to hoax mitigation strategies and improve media literacy. This study used qualitative methods with framing analysis and critical discourse analysis approaches. The results show contrasting framing differences: hoax news tends to use emotional, sensational, and manipulative framing, with provocative titles, hyperbolic language, and unclear sources to polarize audiences. In contrast, mainstream journalism uses informational and contextual framing, prioritizes facts, data, and credible sources, and strives to maintain the principle of balance. Furthermore, on social media, hoax framing spreads more quickly and widely due to algorithms that encourage engagement, creating echo chambers that strengthen beliefs and complicate factual correction.