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The existence of filter bubbles and echo
chambers allowed far-right individuals to
disseminate misinformation and various
conspiracy theories, deepening public
distrust in the electoral process as a
consequence. These factors allowed far-
right individuals to find like-minded communities online, evident in the ‘Stop the
Steal’ movement which had originally started as a Facebook group, gaining 1,000
followers every 10 seconds before it was taken down due to its ‘delegitimisation of the electoral process’ . 135
These media outlets fuelled scepticism and mistrust in the election process and
created an environment where far-right narratives were able to gain traction and
influence public perception. This shows that while the media landscape is
diverse, and not all media outlets contributed to the rise of the far-right, these
dynamics highlight the complex interplay between media influence and the
political climate during the 2020 presidential election.
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