Analysis of Comments on Online News Articles: A Case Study on the Propagation of Fake News

Introduction

With the Information Era, the dissemination of online news has become increasingly common. However, the propagation of false or disinformation, known as fake news, has also noticeably increased. The analysis of sentiment in online news comments is a method increasingly used to understand how people feel about certain topics and how those emotions can contribute to the spread of fake news.

The Issue of Fake News

The fake news problem is becoming increasingly broad, affecting not just confidence in the media, but also democracy itself. According to a study by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, 60% of people believe that rumor and disinformation are a threat to democracy.

How do senses in online news comments contribute to the propagation of fake news?

Recent studies show that analyzing sentiment in online news comments can help predict the dissemination of fake news. This is because people who share false or disinformation often use emotionally charged language to attract attention and sympathy from others. The more emotional the tone of a comment, the higher the probability it will be shared and commented on.

In addition, the sentiment analysis of online news comments can also help identify individuals who are more prone to sharing false information. People exhibiting an emotionally negative tone, such as hostility or distrust, may be more likely to join conspiracy theories and share false content.

Methodology and Results

To study the relationship between sentiment analysis in online news comments and the spread of fake news, a sample of 500 comments from 5 different online newspapers was used. Sentiment analysis was performed using artificial intelligence algorithms that classified sentiments as positive, negative, or neutral.

The results showed that comments with negative sentiments were more likely to share false or disinformation content. Additionally, users who shared falsified content tended to have language that was more emotionally charged and exhibited attitudes of due and intolerance towards diversity of opinion.

How can we combat the spread of fake news through sentiment analysis of online news article comments?

To combat the spread of fake news, it is essential to develop strategies that promote responsibility and transparency in online content. This can be achieved through civic education and systematic monitoring of published online content. Furthermore, sentiment analysis of online news comments may help identify and combat false content, while also promoting awareness of the importance of truth in information.

Conclusion

Sentiment analysis in online news comments is an effective method to understand how people feel about certain topics and how those emotions can contribute to the spread of fake news. However, it's crucial that it be combined with education and systematic vigilance strategies to combat fake news dissemination.