Fakasjon

Fakasjon is a term used in information studies and political communication to describe the deliberate creation and dissemination of fake or exaggerated factional identities to influence public opinion or political outcomes. It covers both fully fictitious groups and the manipulation of perceptions about real groups in order to present them as more cohesive, extreme, or antagonistic than they are. The word is a blend of fake and faction, and while there is no single origin, the concept has appeared in scholarly and policy discussions since the late 2010s as online manipulation has grown more sophisticated.

The phenomenon typically involves coordinated inauthentic behavior across online platforms, including fake accounts, automated bots, and manipulated narratives. Practitioners may stage debates, flood discussions with selective content, or misrepresent the size or influence of groups to sway audiences. Fakasjon can target political issues, social movements, or perceived demographic divides, aiming to amplify polarization, erode trust in institutions, or influence electoral or legislative processes. It often intersects with other forms of disinformation, such as misinformation campaigns and astroturfing, but centers specifically on fabricating or exaggerating factional identities.

Measurement and defense against fakasjon rely on cross-platform attribution, behavioral analysis of accounts, network mapping, and transparency in provenance of content. Mitigation efforts emphasize rapid detection of inauthentic coordination, disclosure of ownership, and media literacy among the public. Critics caution that the term can be applied inconsistently and highlight the difficulty of distinguishing genuine political organizing from fabricated activity in complex information ecosystems. Related concepts include disinformation, misinformation, astroturfing, and information warfare.