Waves of Division?: How Podcasts Fuel Political Disinformation and Polarization in Partisan Media

Abstract

This study delves into the influence of the Ben Shapiro Show, Initially aimed at examining the potential for Shapiro's content to propagate political misinformation and exacerbate polarization. The analysis reveals a nuanced landscape where Shapiro's commentary, despite being factually grounded, often presents content from a conservative viewpoint, utilizing urgent or emotionally charged episode titles to attract viewers. Drawing on comment sections from Shapiro's YouTube channel from November 2020 to February 2021, the study tracks evolving themes and sentiments among the audience. Findings indicate a progression in audience engagement and thematic diversity over time, with November focused heavily on election-related concerns, transitioning to broader critiques of democracy, media, and government distrust in subsequent months. Despite Shapiro's efforts to ridicule and critique the January 6th insurrection, audience comments reveal persistent aggression towards Democratic figures, and suggests an association between episode titles emphasizing controversy and increased audience polarization and aggression in the comments.