Believing the Untrue: How Social Media, Sexism, and Structural Gender Inequality Influence Misinformation About Women Politicians

Abstract

We explore the link between social media news consumption and belief in misinformation about women politicians in India. In addition, we investigate the roles of sexism, with cognitive ability (individual factor) and gender inequality status (of the state where respondents reside) as structural-level moderating factors. Results indicate a positive association between social media news use and belief in misinformation, mediated by hostile and benevolent sexism. Furthermore, we find that low-cognitive individuals in states with high structural gender inequality are most vulnerable to misinformation. The results emphasize the need to create more gender equality structurally, to reduce susceptibility to gendered misinformation.