“Share or Not”, The Relationship Between User Motivations and Fake News Sharing about Political Issues in Malaysia

Abstract

This research investigates the psychological motivations underlying the sharing of fake news on social media concerning political issues in Malaysia. Despite the growing concern about fake news on social media platforms, gaps in psychological research and the relationship between social media use and fake news sharing remain unattended within the Malaysian context. The study aims to identify the primary motivations driving social media users to share fake news on social media platforms concerning Malaysian political issues and explores potential gender differences. Using a quantitative research design, this study collected data through a questionnaire comprising 32 items distributed among social media users. Results indicate a significant relationship between psychological motivations and the sharing of fake news on social media. However, the study found no significant gender-based differences in this relationship. Findings suggest that respondents are moderately motivated by psychological factors to share fake news regarding Malaysian political issues on social media. In conclusion, this study emphasises the influence of psychological motivations on sharing fake news. It contributes to the broader understanding of the relationship between social media and fake news. Future research in this area can further explore the nuances of psychological motivations and their implications for combating the dissemination of fake news in the digital landscape.