(CANCELED) - Political Rumor Communication on Kakao Talk in the 2017 Presidential Election in South Korea: Relationships with Political Participation and Knowledge

***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION***
 
Modern communication technologies have vastly increased the reach and influence of political rumors, with negative consequences for democratic political systems. At the same time, rumor communication can also be theorized as a form of political talk that helps citizens grapple with the uncertainty inherent in politics, allowing them to shape their own views and build solidarity with others. The present study examines how one type of communication technology–instant messaging platforms–might facilitate forms of rumor communication that can influence participation in and knowledge about politics. Using original panel survey data from the 2017 South Korean election, we find that rumor communication on the popular instant messaging platform KaKaoTalk predicts increased political participation, but not political knowledge. Findings further suggest that political rumor communication on instant messaging platforms may ultimately exacerbate participatory inequality between those with weak and strong political interest or ideology.