Conspiracy theories are defined as unfounded ideas and beliefs without supporting evidence that certain processes and events are controlled by a group of wealthy and powerful individuals in secrecy. Individuals spread conspiracy theories for various reasons, just as they do with misinformation and fake news. Some believe in the truthfulness of the data and information in conspiracy theories and share them to spread the “news,” while others create and propagate them for the purpose of manipulating the public, causing harm, or for financial or political gain. Conspiracy theories provide comfort and offer explanations for complex events, situations, or processes whose interpretations and explanations are not easy to understand, thereby providing a false sense of “control” and “security.” This need for understanding certain processes and their control is particularly pronounced during times of crisis and uncertainty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and wartime events. Additionally, conspiracy theories help people cope with significant events like a pandemic or the sudden death of a public figure. Sometimes, it is difficult for people to comprehend that major global events have normal, ordinary, and explainable causes.
Conspiracy theories have negative and destructive consequences for society, fostering the spread of misinformation, creating panic, and influencing the increase of distrust in governmental, public, and media institutions. Furthermore, they contribute to heightened feelings of insecurity among individuals and encourage violent and aggressive behavior.
The Adriatic Observatory for Digital Media (ADMO) conducted research on misinformation in Croatia titled “Who Believes in Conspiracy Theories and Who Do They Vote for?” The results indicate that younger individuals, those with lower educational status, right-wing ideological orientations, and low trust in science and traditional media are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. Furthermore, the research shows a concerning new trend indicating a rising number of individuals who increasingly trust conspiracy theories. The majority of participants identified politicians as the primary creators and distributors of fake news and information, followed by social networks, journalists and media editors, corporate lobbies, with conspiracy theorists being last on the list.
Thorough verification of information and the development and raising awareness of the importance of critical thinking are crucial in an age of misinformation, fake news, misrepresentation, and conspiracy theories. When analyzing content, it is extremely important to verify the source of information in order to identify false, manipulative, and misleading content from truthful and verified information. In the context of combating misinformation and conspiracy theories, critical thinking is essential as it enables individuals to distinguish between unverified claims and those based on available evidence.
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The goal of the quiz is to help platform users learn what conspiracy theories are and how to recognize them.
This quiz has been designed as part of the project “Enhancing the Culture of Fact-Checking,” implemented by HUOJ in collaboration with media experts from Lider media and the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb, with financial support from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
