Review Article Volume 15 Issue 2 - 2026

Conspiracy Theories, Fake News, and Defamation in the Digital Age: A Yellow Criminology Perspective

Arnon Edelstein*

Professor, Criminologist, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel

*Corresponding Author: Abdul Gatrad, Consultant Paediatrician and Honorary Professor, Manor Hospital, Walsall, UK and University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Received: March 09, 2026; Published: May 06, 2026



This article examines the proliferation of conspiracy theories, fake news, and disinformation through the lens of yellow criminology. While these phenomena are ancient, contemporary digital technologies have amplified their reach and impact. The analysis integrates theoretical frameworks from criminology, sociology, and psychology to explain why these narratives attract adherents and how they threaten democratic institutions. The article proposes that criminology must urgently address these issues as serious social problems requiring empirical investigation and evidence-based intervention strategies.

 Keywords: Conspiracy Theories; Fake News; Yellow Criminology; Crime

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Arnon Edelstein. “Conspiracy Theories, Fake News, and Defamation in the Digital Age: A Yellow Criminology Perspective”. EC Psychology and Psychiatry 15.2 (2026): 01-07.