You Are Wrong Because I Am Right! The Perceived Causes and Ideological Biases of Misinformation Beliefs

Abstract In the context of increasing concerns about false and deceptive information in public opinion, this research note explores which causes sources news users associate with dissemination misinformation. Based on representative survey data collected Netherlands (N = 1,994), we found that distinguish unintentional related to uncertain evidence lacking expert knowledge from politically or financially motivated falsehoods. People left-wing political spectrum falsehoods more radical-right, whereas those right-wing tend misinformation radical-left. Right-wing participants, however, are most likely perceive as driven by a deliberate attempt hide reality. Our findings point an ideological bias credibility could foster polarization along epistemic lines.