Digital Democracy and the Challenge of Misinformation: Social Media, Political Communication and Electoral Politics in India
Abstract
The rapid growth of digital technology has significantly transformed the nature of politics and democracy across the world. In India, social media platforms, digital news portals, messaging applications and online communication have become important instruments of political communication. Political parties, leaders, governments and citizens increasingly use digital platforms to exchange information, mobilize public opinion and participate in political discussions. This transformation has created new opportunities for strengthening democratic participation. At the same time, it has also created serious challenges in the form of misinformation, fake news, manipulated content, online polarization and the misuse of digital platforms for political purposes. The present article examines the relationship between digital technology and democracy in India. It analyses the role of social media in political communication, electoral mobilization and citizen participation. The article also discusses the growing problem of misinformation and its potential impact on democratic decision-making. The study argues that digital democracy can strengthen public participation only when citizens possess adequate media literacy, digital awareness and the ability to distinguish reliable information from manipulated or false content. The article concludes that the future of democracy in the digital age depends not only on technological development but also on responsible political communication, institutional regulation and informed citizenship