Description

In a recent study published in the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, researchers delve into the pervasive influence of misinformation within the corporate sphere, shedding light on its far-reaching consequences for companies, investors, and societal discourse.

The proliferation of misinformation in online spaces has long been recognized as a threat to democratic discourse and public safety. However, this study, conducted by a team of experts from Bell Labs, expands our understanding by examining the specific impact of fake news on the corporate world.

Unlike previous studies limited by qualitative approaches or industry-specific analyses, this research utilized advanced social media quantitative methods and crowd-sourced studies to investigate misinformation across a diverse range of industries within the S&P 500 companies.

Key findings:

Scope of Corporate Misinformation: The research reveals that corporate misinformation spans various topics, including products, politics, and societal issues, affecting companies across industries.

Impact on Companies: Companies targeted by fake news not only receive reputable news coverage but also experience reduced attention on social media. This diminished social media engagement correlates with heightened negativity in comments, declining stock growth, and increased stress mentions in employee reviews.

Temporal Patterns: The study identifies specific times when a critical mass of fake news emerges, indicating that companies are not under constant attack but face concentrated periods of misinformation.

These findings underscore the urgent need for vigilance among regulators, business leaders, and investors to monitor and combat the escalating phenomenon of corporate misinformation.

Publications

• Characterizing Fake News Targeting Corporations. ICWSM 2024.PDF

Code and data

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