Who is sharing the news? Identity construction of news sharers on Dutch language Twitter

Abstract

This paper examines how self-ascribed identity in Twitter biographies relates to news-sharing behavior on the platform. Drawing on a dataset of Dutch Twitter users who shared links to news articles in 2021, this study applies contextual topic modeling and clustering techniques to analyze identity patterns at scale. While prior research on online identity has often relied on manual annotation or focused on elite actors, this work leverages computational methods to systematically identify thematic identity groupings and their relation to news dissemination. The findings reveal that political identity — particularly among rightleaning users — is often foregrounded in biographies, frequently articulated through oppositional or “anti”-statements. However, news sharing across identity groups remains largely centered on mainstream Dutch news outlets, indicating that ideological critique does not necessarily translate into alternative media consumption. This research also highlights the complexity of online identity construction, as users commonly blend social and professional affiliations in self-presentation. These results underscore the importance of identity cues in understanding how news circulates on social media and suggest that selfpresentation plays a critical role in shaping users’ perceived credibility and influence. By offering a scalable approach to studying identity in relation to news sharing, this research contributes to broader debates on digital journalism, political communication, and platform-based public discourse.