Misinformation, Social Media, and Political Polarization: The Case of Sub-Saharan Immigration in Tunisia

Social media has facilitated the spread of misinformation in the Maghreb region, especially on sensitive topics like immigration. While misinformation has received increasing research attention, its impact on sub-Saharan African migrants’ phenomenon is still under-researched. This research provides a reflective analysis of how misinformation about sub-Saharan African migrants spreads on Tunisian social media, contributing to increased political polarization. We follow a mixed-method approach aiming to examine the societal impact of misinformation through social media. We begin by conducting a content analysis of comments posted on TikTok videos containing misinformation. We then conduct qualitative interviews with 17 participants from Tunisia. Our preliminary findings show that video length and sound effects affect the detection of misinformation, while political orientations shape how it is interpreted. By linking micro-level narratives to macro-level public opinion shifts, this study contributes to the understanding of how misinformation influences socio-political divides in Tunisia.