Radical Right Populists Accused of Using Misinformation to Undermine Democratic Institutions

Recent research has uncovered a significant shift in our understanding of misinformation, revealing that it is not as widespread as previously believed but rather concentrated among specific political groups, particularly those aligned with radical right populism.

The study, published in the International Journal of Press/Politics by researchers Petter Törnberg and Juliana Chueri, challenges earlier assumptions about misinformation’s prevalence. Their findings indicate that most citizens neither consume nor share false information regularly. Instead, misinformation flows primarily within distinct electoral segments and correlates strongly with partisan identity and institutional distrust.

“Previous theoretical work has argued that misinformation is an expression of the anti-elitism of populist movements, which has often been associated with ‘post-truth’ politics,” explains Törnberg. “However, our new study argues that it is the exclusionary ideologies and hostility toward democratic institutions of radical right populism that drives misinformation campaigns.”

The research distinguishes between different forms of populism, noting that left-wing populist movements tend to focus on economic grievances and participatory democracy, making misinformation less central to their communication strategies. In contrast, radical right populists emphasize cultural grievances and opposition to democratic norms, creating fertile ground for false information to flourish.

A key finding highlights the symbiotic relationship between radical right populists and the modern digital media landscape. These political movements have effectively created alternative media ecosystems spanning online platforms, blogs, and reconfigured traditional media that amplify their viewpoints while circumventing mainstream outlets.

“Radical right populists have been effective in creating and utilizing alternative media ecosystems that amplify their viewpoints,” Törnberg notes. These parallel information channels serve multiple purposes: strengthening ideological messages, fostering community among followers, and providing counter-narratives to mainstream reporting.

This alternative media landscape doesn’t simply spread misinformation—it actively shapes radical right populist movements themselves, often elevating fringe voices to positions of political prominence. The research examined data across 26 countries, providing a comprehensive international perspective on this phenomenon.

The researchers point to a deeper legitimacy crisis in democratic institutions as the underlying cause of both misinformation’s spread and radical right populism’s rise. Several factors have contributed to this crisis, including increasing economic inequality, widespread dissatisfaction with neoliberal policies, and the growing influence of business elites in political systems.

These developments have eroded public trust in traditional institutions, creating an environment vulnerable to exploitation. “By exploiting declining trust in institutions and leveraging alternative media ecosystems, radical right populists use misinformation as a tool to destabilize democracies and gain political advantage,” Törnberg warns.

The study carries significant implications for how societies should address misinformation. Rather than viewing it as a general problem of media literacy affecting the broader population, the researchers suggest understanding it as a manifestation of specific political dynamics.

This perspective calls for more targeted approaches to combating false information, potentially focusing on strengthening democratic institutions and addressing the underlying grievances that fuel radical right populism.

The research underscores the urgent need for policymakers, researchers, and the public to recognize and address these intertwined dynamics. As democracies worldwide face challenges from both misinformation campaigns and radical right movements, understanding the connection between these phenomena becomes increasingly crucial for preserving democratic processes.

The study “When Do Parties Lie? Misinformation and Radical-Right Populism Across 26 Countries” was published on January 13, 2025, providing a timely analysis of these pressing global issues.