Tracking the Lies: An Analysis of Misinformation Patterns in Malayalam

This study analyzes the patterns of misinformation in Malayalam, a regional Indian language, with the purpose of developing a comprehensive conceptual framework to understand the patterns of misinformation flow, genres, formats, and claim reviews in regional settings. Although there are plenty of studies exploring the challenges of managing misinformation online and identifying possibilities to tackle them in English and Western language settings, studies on the management of misinformation in regional language contexts are very rare. To explore the current patterns of fact-checking in regional settings in India, we analyzed fact-check stories published during a specific time period in four factchecking portals with IFCN signatories: India Today, NewsMeter, News Checker, and Fact Crescendo. These portals publish in Malayalam, the official language of Kerala, a state in South India. The study provides important insights into the patterns of misinformation in Malayalam and suggests some effective strategies to combat misinformation.

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