State vs. anti-vaxxers: Analysis of Covid-19 echo chambers in Serbia

Abstract

Times of uncertainty and fear were brought on by Covid-19. The ongoing pandemic is a fruitful ground for fake news, as citizens try to find explanations that fit into their worldviews. This process polarizes society and creates echo chambers amplified by recommender systems. Our main goal is to detect anti-vaxxer echo chambers in Serbia by analyzing online reactions to the recent detention of prominent anti-vaxxer Dr. Jovana Stojkovic. A content analysis of online comments is deployed in anti-regime left-leaning, anti-regime right-leaning, and pro-government media to explore attitudes towards a vaccination conspiracy theory, police action towards anti-vaxxers, and the government crisis response team. We clearly identify the anti-vaccine echo chamber among commentators of anti-regime right-leaning media (YouTube podcasts). Additionally, we describe attitudes expressed around issues related to vaccination. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Will the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence Become an Age of Public Ignorance?

“…The social media ecosystems that developed from this became sources of knowledge and 'truth', with the emergence of narrow casting of ideological viewpoints bouncing inside in echo chambers devoid of divergent views [51,52]. The conspiracy theories of the 'anti-vaxxer' movements during the COVID-19 pandemic [53][54][55], or the alternative narratives created around the January 6 insurrection in Washington, DC (USA) are both cases in point [56,57].…”

“…What is different compared to the past, and what is of both particular interest and concern, is the increasing unwillingness of segments for the public to engage in critical examination of one's own standpoint and tolerance for the standpoints of others. While this is at present largely confined to diverging opinions and interpretations of political, social and environmental/natural events, examples such as the 'anti-vaxxer' movements during the COVID-19 pandemic [53][54][55], show that this can extend to other aspects of public life where ideological standpoints rather than evidence dominate discussion.…”

Recommender algorithms as a source of power in contemporary society

“…Important effects of online polarizations were noted during the Presidential Election in the U.S. and the EU Referendum in the U.K., both happening in 2016 (Spohr, 2017;Conway-Silva et al, 2018). The greatest contributor to creation of echo chambers is technology used to decide to which content online users are exposed -AI based recommender algorithms (Garimella et al, 2018;Bojić, Zarić & Žikić, 2021;Bojić, Nikolić & Tucaković, 2022). These tools base their decisions in large part on confirmation bias by facilitating similar content that has an engaging effect to online users (Bojić, Zarić & Žikić, 2021).…”

The Scary Black Box: AI Driven Recommender Algorithms as The Most Powerful Social Force

“…The most significant tool that contributes to the creation of echo chambers and polarizations in societies is the technology called recommender systems or recommender algorithms (Garimella et al 2018;Spohr 2017;Bojic, Zaric and Zikic 2021;Bojic, Nikolic and Tucakovic 2022). This technology is predominantly used online.…”