The Role of Social Media in Spreading Misinformation During the Ramadan War

Masoudi, Omidali; Asadi, Khatereh

doi:10.22083/cssms.2026.580621.1120

The Role of Social Media in Spreading Misinformation During the Ramadan War

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

omidali masoudi ¹

Khatereh Asadi ²

¹ Professor, Faculty of Culture and Communication, Soore University, Tehran Iran Email: masoudi@soore.ac.ir

² PhD Student, Faculty of Culture and Communication, Soore International University, Tehran Iran. (Corresponding Author) Email: Khatere.asadi@soore.ac.ir

https://doi.org/10.22083/cssms.2026.580621.1120

Abstract

Introduction: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has fundamentally reshaped the contemporary information environment. While these platforms facilitate the rapid dissemination of information and enhance public engagement, they have also created favorable conditions for the spread of misinformation and fake news. During crises and armed conflicts, the circulation of inaccurate or misleading information can significantly influence public perceptions, decision-making processes, and social stability. The Ramadan War, as a major contemporary crisis, provides a unique context for examining the mechanisms through which misinformation spreads across social media networks. In such situations, users often rely on social media as their primary source of information, increasing their exposure to unverified content and manipulated narratives.
This study aims to examine the role of social media in the dissemination of misinformation during the Ramadan War by investigating the influence of social media characteristics, users’ psychological factors, media trust, and media literacy. Furthermore, the study seeks to develop an integrated policy model for managing fake news in crisis situations.
Methods: This study adopted an applied research approach and employed a descriptive-correlational design using a quantitative survey method. The statistical population consisted of users of online communication platforms and social media networks who followed news related to the Ramadan War. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire developed based on the research variables and relevant theoretical foundations.
The questionnaire measured social media characteristics, psychological factors, media trust, media literacy, and the spread of misinformation. The validity of the instrument was confirmed through expert evaluation, while its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the respondents’ characteristics, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the proposed conceptual model and research hypotheses.
Findings: The findings indicate that social media platforms play a significant role in facilitating the spread of misinformation during crisis situations. Features such as rapid information sharing, algorithm-driven content distribution, and high levels of user interaction contribute to the accelerated dissemination of misleading information. The results further reveal that psychological factors, including emotional reactions and cognitive biases, significantly increase users’ susceptibility to misinformation and their likelihood of sharing unverified content.
In addition, media trust and media literacy emerged as significant determinants of misinformation diffusion. Lower levels of trust in official media sources encourage individuals to rely on informal channels, which are often more susceptible to misinformation. Conversely, higher levels of media literacy enhance users’ ability to critically evaluate information and reduce the likelihood of spreading false content.
Based on these findings, an integrated policy model was developed. The model incorporates technological, behavioral, and institutional interventions and proposes a multi-level strategy for mitigating misinformation during crises. The framework emphasizes the importance of algorithmic transparency, fact-checking mechanisms, media literacy education, institutional coordination, and effective crisis communication management.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the spread of misinformation during the Ramadan War is not solely the result of technological factors but rather the outcome of a complex interaction among social media structures, users’ psychological characteristics, levels of media trust, and media literacy. Social media platforms can amplify the circulation of false information through algorithmic mechanisms and networked communication patterns, particularly during periods of uncertainty and crisis.
The proposed integrated policy model underscores the need to combine technological regulation, educational initiatives, and institutional measures to effectively manage misinformation. Strengthening media literacy, enhancing public trust in credible information sources, improving fact-checking systems, and developing coordinated crisis communication strategies are essential steps toward reducing the societal impact of fake news. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers, media organizations, and communication professionals seeking to strengthen information governance and enhance societal resilience against misinformation during crisis situations.

Keywords

Social media

fake news

false news

user media

Ramadan war

Subjects

Governance and Policy-Making in Cyberspace and Social Media

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