Disinformation has become a pressing global issue, yet much of the existing research remains tethered to techno-centric perspectives, limited methodologies, and is thinly theorised. This project seeks to address these gaps by employing a digital ethnographic approach to study disinformation as a lived, everyday experience in Armenia. As a nation marked by a Soviet legacy of distrust and ongoing informational interference from proximate countries, particularly Russia and Azerbaijan, Armenia provides a unique lens for exploring disinformation dynamics. This research project focuses on studying three groups in society (namely, young rural residents, displaced individuals, and older women) that have not been prioritised in previous research, with the goal of examining how disinformation shapes trust, social cohesion, and access to accurate information in their daily lives.
The study employs three digital-ethnographic methods: the social media scroll-through method, WhatsApp focus group discussions, and disinformation photo diaries. Together, these approaches offer a depth of qualitative insights into how disinformation is encountered, interpreted, and responded to in digital and social ecosystems. By co-designing the methodologies through a participatory workshop in Yerevan, this project foregrounds local knowledge and practices, ensuring its relevance and inclusivity.
A key contribution of this research lies in theorising "everyday disinformation" as a concept within the under-theorised field of “disinformation studies.” By highlighting the embeddedness of false and misleading information in routine interactions, the project seeks to challenge traditional understandings of disinformation as purely mediated, top-down political or ideological manipulation.
In addition to a co-creation workshop, the outcomes of this project include two academic publications and actionable recommendations for civil society organisations, emphasising context-sensitive strategies for mitigating disinformation's societal impacts. By centring Armenia as a case study, this work not only expands the scope of disinformation studies but also contributes to a broader, more inclusive understanding of its global dynamics.