Fact check: Numerous empirical studies have found that right-wing people are far more likely to share misinformation and lies than left-wing people.

1. Summary of the results

The relationship between political orientation and misinformation sharing is more complex than the original statement suggests. While multiple studies across 16 countries from 2016-2023 have found that conservative/right-wing users do share more low-quality news sources compared to liberal/left-wing users ^{[1] [1]}, the distinction is more nuanced. The research specifically identifies radical-right populist parties, not right-wing ideology in general, as being more strongly associated with misinformation sharing ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• The research distinguishes between regular right-wing politics and radical right populism, with the latter being more strongly linked to misinformation ^[2]
• Left-wing populists tend to focus on economic grievances rather than using misinformation as a strategy ^[2]
• The studies used multiple methodological approaches, including both professional fact-checkers and politically balanced layperson ratings, strengthening the validity of the findings ^{[1] [1]}
• The research spans 7 different datasets across 16 countries, suggesting this is a broad international pattern rather than a localized phenomenon ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains several problematic elements:

• It oversimplifies the research by making a blanket statement about "right-wing people" without distinguishing between moderate right-wing voters and radical right populists ^[2]
• It uses inflammatory language ("far more likely" and "lies") that isn't reflected in the more measured scientific findings
• It fails to acknowledge that the relationship between political ideology and misinformation sharing exists on a spectrum rather than as a binary distinction
• The statement could benefit politically motivated actors on the left who might use it to delegitimize all right-wing views, rather than focusing specifically on radical right populist messaging