The interplay of culture, cognition, and political engagement in the reporting of disinformation: a multi-country analysis

Despite extensive research on mis- and disinformation engagement, empirical work on their reporting behavior remains limited. Existing studies also lack attention to Asian countries. This study analyzes deepfake reporting behavior across eight countries. The results show that, in most contexts, individuals with higher political engagement are more likely to report disinformation. Moreover, the relationship is moderated by both cognitive ability and cultural context. Politically engaged individuals with lower cognitive ability, especially in cultures characterized by high power distance, individualism, long-term orientation, and low masculinity, are more inclined to report deepfakes. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications.