Sami Nenno
@saminenno.bsky.social
Researcher at Synosys TU Dresden & Associate at Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society
css-synosys.github.io
css-synosys.github.io
Maybe interesting to @steuergerecht.bsky.social, @ungleichheitinfo.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Maybe interesting to @steuergerecht.bsky.social, @ungleichheitinfo.bsky.social
Big thanks to my co-author @lorenzspreen.bsky.social from @tudresden.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Big thanks to my co-author @lorenzspreen.bsky.social from @tudresden.bsky.social
Our take-home message: Value-based arguments are unlikely to cross the aisle and instead preach to the choir. To reach beyond their core electorate, left-wing parties should directly address economic concerns. 🧵5/5
Preprint on OSF: osf.io/preprints/so...
Preprint on OSF: osf.io/preprints/so...
OSF
osf.io
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Our take-home message: Value-based arguments are unlikely to cross the aisle and instead preach to the choir. To reach beyond their core electorate, left-wing parties should directly address economic concerns. 🧵5/5
Preprint on OSF: osf.io/preprints/so...
Preprint on OSF: osf.io/preprints/so...
Supporters and opponents of stricter wealth taxation talk past each other. Economically left-wing parties use value-based arguments emphasizing inequality, injustice, and responsibility, while right-wing parties focus on negative consequences for the economy, businesses, and (housing) property.🧵4/5
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Supporters and opponents of stricter wealth taxation talk past each other. Economically left-wing parties use value-based arguments emphasizing inequality, injustice, and responsibility, while right-wing parties focus on negative consequences for the economy, businesses, and (housing) property.🧵4/5
However, in recent years: We observe a moderate increase in posts, mainly driven by economically left-leaning parties advocating for stricter wealth taxation. Fun fact: the business lobby ran numerous Meta ads against wealth taxation during the 2021 election. 🧵3/5
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
However, in recent years: We observe a moderate increase in posts, mainly driven by economically left-leaning parties advocating for stricter wealth taxation. Fun fact: the business lobby ran numerous Meta ads against wealth taxation during the 2021 election. 🧵3/5
Our first finding: Politicians posted about wealth taxation less often than about other issues such as unemployment benefits or the nuclear phase-out. Along with gender-sensitive language, wealth taxation ranks among the moderately discussed topics. 🧵2/5
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Our first finding: Politicians posted about wealth taxation less often than about other issues such as unemployment benefits or the nuclear phase-out. Along with gender-sensitive language, wealth taxation ranks among the moderately discussed topics. 🧵2/5
Finally, a big thanks to my co-authors! From my team at @tudresden.bsky.social: @lorenzspreen.bsky.social and Kamil Fuławka, and from @zemki.bsky.social : @cbpuschmann.bsky.social 8/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Finally, a big thanks to my co-authors! From my team at @tudresden.bsky.social: @lorenzspreen.bsky.social and Kamil Fuławka, and from @zemki.bsky.social : @cbpuschmann.bsky.social 8/8
To end with some good news: this also means there are plenty of topics and actors where misinformation is almost absent. We should focus on high-prevalence contexts, but can remain (cautiously) optimistic about those with low prevalence. 7/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
To end with some good news: this also means there are plenty of topics and actors where misinformation is almost absent. We should focus on high-prevalence contexts, but can remain (cautiously) optimistic about those with low prevalence. 7/8
Overall, misinformation makes up just above 1% of posts. Yet, for some parties on certain topics, the probability of misinformation can be at 10%. So, while the overall rate is low, misinformation isn’t uniformly rare — it’s clustered in specific contexts. 6/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Overall, misinformation makes up just above 1% of posts. Yet, for some parties on certain topics, the probability of misinformation can be at 10%. So, while the overall rate is low, misinformation isn’t uniformly rare — it’s clustered in specific contexts. 6/8
Now to our study’s core idea: recent research has focused on the overall spread of misinformation. But is that the right question?
What if misinformation isn’t evenly distributed, but instead concentrated among specific actors and topics? 5/8
What if misinformation isn’t evenly distributed, but instead concentrated among specific actors and topics? 5/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Now to our study’s core idea: recent research has focused on the overall spread of misinformation. But is that the right question?
What if misinformation isn’t evenly distributed, but instead concentrated among specific actors and topics? 5/8
What if misinformation isn’t evenly distributed, but instead concentrated among specific actors and topics? 5/8
The misinformation rate is highest for BSW, followed by AfD, and then CSU/CDU. This pattern is fairly stable across platforms.
However, party contributions to overall misinformation differ: on Facebook, X, and TikTok, AfD accounts for most misinformation, while on Instagram, it’s the CDU. 4/8
However, party contributions to overall misinformation differ: on Facebook, X, and TikTok, AfD accounts for most misinformation, while on Instagram, it’s the CDU. 4/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The misinformation rate is highest for BSW, followed by AfD, and then CSU/CDU. This pattern is fairly stable across platforms.
However, party contributions to overall misinformation differ: on Facebook, X, and TikTok, AfD accounts for most misinformation, while on Instagram, it’s the CDU. 4/8
However, party contributions to overall misinformation differ: on Facebook, X, and TikTok, AfD accounts for most misinformation, while on Instagram, it’s the CDU. 4/8
Only about 4% of posts on FB, Insta, X, TT by German politicians include news links but over 90% contain text. Our text-level method, which matches fact-checks and community notes with posts, detects about ten times more misinformation than the news-domain approach. 3/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Only about 4% of posts on FB, Insta, X, TT by German politicians include news links but over 90% contain text. Our text-level method, which matches fact-checks and community notes with posts, detects about ten times more misinformation than the news-domain approach. 3/8
Previous studies identified misinformation via link sharing to news domains. However, news sharing has always been just a fraction of social media activity, has declined in recent years, and isn’t possible on all platforms. This is reflected in the numbers… 2/8
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Previous studies identified misinformation via link sharing to news domains. However, news sharing has always been just a fraction of social media activity, has declined in recent years, and isn’t possible on all platforms. This is reflected in the numbers… 2/8
I’m happy to share my first publication after my PhD, during my move from @hiigberlin.bsky.social to the CSS group led by @lorenzspreen.bsky.social. 🧵10/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I’m happy to share my first publication after my PhD, during my move from @hiigberlin.bsky.social to the CSS group led by @lorenzspreen.bsky.social. 🧵10/10
This study has many limitations. That is why I call it exploratory rather than representative. But take a look yourself! 🧵9/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
This study has many limitations. That is why I call it exploratory rather than representative. But take a look yourself! 🧵9/10
But the difference lies in targets: CDU/CSU use misinformation mainly against political opponents. AfD uses it to undermine democratic institutions. 🧵8/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
But the difference lies in targets: CDU/CSU use misinformation mainly against political opponents. AfD uses it to undermine democratic institutions. 🧵8/10
I also found a pattern on the supply side of misinformation. In quantity, politicians from AfD and CDU/CSU spread about the same amount (though conservatives are invited more often).
🧵7/10
🧵7/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I also found a pattern on the supply side of misinformation. In quantity, politicians from AfD and CDU/CSU spread about the same amount (though conservatives are invited more often).
🧵7/10
🧵7/10
That matters: research shows that failing to challenge radical claims makes audiences believe they are publicly accepted. This may also apply to misinformation.
🧵6/10
🧵6/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
That matters: research shows that failing to challenge radical claims makes audiences believe they are publicly accepted. This may also apply to misinformation.
🧵6/10
🧵6/10
The talk show results aren’t surprising. In live, heated debates it’s hard to stop guests (often politicians) from spreading misinformation. Sometimes moderators challenged the claims. But in many cases, they didn’t. 🧵5/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The talk show results aren’t surprising. In live, heated debates it’s hard to stop guests (often politicians) from spreading misinformation. Sometimes moderators challenged the claims. But in many cases, they didn’t. 🧵5/10
Result: about 12% of talk shows contained at least one match, compared to just over 2% of news programs. 🧵4/10
September 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Result: about 12% of talk shows contained at least one match, compared to just over 2% of news programs. 🧵4/10