Message content in the life of rumors: Comparing three rumor types

Abstract

This study seeks to examine variations in message content in the life of rumors on Twitter. Three types of rumors were considered, namely, wish, dread and wedge-driving. Using content analysis, four broad categories of messages were identified, namely, information-related, emotion-related, deliberation, and call-to-action. The results showed the four message categories to differ in the life of rumors. The proportions of information- and emotion-related messages showed a decreasing trend with progress in the life of rumors. The proportion of deliberation messages showed an increasing trend with progress in the life of rumors. The proportion of call-to-action messages showed an increasing trend during the first half of the life of rumors, and a decreasing trend thereafter. According to the results, the four message categories were also found to differ across rumor types. Information- and emotion-related messages were most common for dread rumors. Deliberation and call for action messages are most common for wedge-driving rumors.