“The Algorithmic Campaign: Social Media Dynamics in Contemporary U.S. Elections” (Published)
Over the past decade, U.S. electioneering has undergone a fundamental transformation, shifting from broadcast-centric persuasion to an algorithmically mediated competition for attention. Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok now function as central infrastructures for political communication, shaping information flows, amplification dynamics, and audience segmentation. This paper develops a conceptual framework of algorithmic campaign dynamics to explain how perceived algorithmic influence affects political communication and engagement in contemporary U.S. elections. Drawing on classical media effects theories, agenda-setting and framing and integrating recent scholarship on algorithmic amplification, selective exposure, and echo chambers, the framework traces a causal chain linking perceived algorithmic influence to misinformation exposure, echo chamber formation, affective polarization, and political engagement. The study contributes to the literature by (1) bridging traditional media theories with algorithmic mediation, (2) integrating psychological and behavioral outcomes within a single model, and (3) highlighting platform-specific differences in political communication dynamics. A proposed quantitative survey design is outlined to guide future empirical testing, with potential for complementary experimental and computational approaches. By offering a theoretically grounded roadmap, this paper provides scholars, practitioners, and policymakers with a structured lens for understanding how algorithmic environments shape electoral behavior and democratic resilience.
Keywords: Social media, U.S. elections, affective polarization, algorithmic campaign dynamics, echo chambers, misinformation, political engagement, selective exposure
Political Misinformation and Disinformation on Social Media: A Study of the 2023 Gubernatorial Election in Lagos State (Published)
Social media has emerged as a highly influential platform in various facets of the society, including the political landscape. Although misinformation and disinformation have been present prior to the rise of social media platforms, the emergence and evolution of these platforms have significantly facilitated their dissemination, making it easier to access and spread them across various locations. This study examines political misinformation and disinformation on social media during the 2023 Lagos state gubernatorial elections. The study was anchored on the agenda setting theory, the Survey Research Method was used and the questionnaire administered via google forms served as the instrument of data collection. The study population consisted of residents from Ojo Local Government area, with a sample size of 400 respondents calculated using the Taro Yamane formula. Respondents sampled for this study were selected through purposive sampling technique. Findings showed that citizens were exposed to political misinformation and disinformation on social media during the 2023 Lagos state gubernatorial elections. Findings also revealed that political party social media accounts, news outlets and user comments on social media all served as sources of misinformation and disinformation during the 2023 Lagos state gubernatorial elections. The paper recommends the establishment of media literacy programs that target the public to enhance their critical thinking skills and ability to discern deceptive information on social media platforms.
Keywords: Elections, Social media, disinformation, framing theory, misinformation