From RTP News 28/6/25
A SmartVote report indicates that Portugal and Spain have seen an increase in electoral disinformation, particularly during legislative elections, with far-right parties like Chega identified as primary sources.
SmartVote, an entity dedicated to studying disinformation in Portugal, Spain, and the European Union (EU), states, “Both Spain and Portugal have witnessed a rise in electoral disinformation, particularly during legislative elections, with social media playing a central role in the dissemination of false content.”
The report highlights that “key themes include electoral fraud, corruption, and immigration, with far-right parties in both countries, particularly Chega in Portugal and Vox in Spain, being the main sources of disinformation.”
In both nations, disinformation primarily targets political candidates, electoral systems, and specific policy proposals. Common tactics involve fake images, manipulated videos, and misleading polls.
“While Spain faces greater political polarization and a stronger institutional response to disinformation, Portugal remains less polarized but increasingly exposed to political instability and digital disinformation, with softer regulatory approaches,” the report notes.
The document also points out that snap elections have become more common in both countries in recent years, leading to shorter governance cycles and greater political instability.
Both countries are characterized by “low voter turnout among young people, driven by political disinterest, economic insecurity, and identity-related factors, with parties at the extremes often being the only forces capable of mobilizing these voters.”
There is also “a notable increase in the sharing of cross-border narratives, especially concerning issues like immigration. Both countries face significant challenges in distinguishing between political propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to combat these trends.”
Furthermore, a growing number of young people (60% in Spain, 62% in Portugal) use artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications, mainly for academic, professional, and creative tasks, reflecting the technology’s increasing role in daily life. Young people are also more comfortable with AI-assisted news compared to the general population.
SmartVote is an entity that studies disinformation in Portugal, Spain, and the EU, as well as how this trend affects choices, increases distrust in the political system, and influences social divisions.
The report, “An Iberian perspective: Electoral disinformation in the media in Spain, Portugal, and the European Union and identification tools,” is scientifically coordinated by OberCom – Communications Observatory.
Translated by AI
Healing Madeira 