Chapter 5. The legitimation of conspiracy theories through manipulation. The case of climate lockdowns

This chapter explores the manipulation of discourse on Twitter at the basis of the climate lockdown conspiracy theory. By analysing a dataset of tweets supporting the existence of climate lockdowns, the chapter looks at how the categories traditionally employed to define manipulation in language are applied when manipulation takes place in digital discourse. The new media is characterised by the expansion and re-elaboration of the classic dynamics of textual production and interpretation, and this is particularly evident when digital and semiotic affordances are used to manipulate discourse. The analysis of the climate change conspiracy theory proves that the architecture and affordances of social media allow, or even encourage, or at least quietly endorse, the legitimation of discourse through manipulation, especially news discourse.