So what did AI have to say about the accusations in yesterday’s blog?

Yes, there are significant statistics and information supporting the Portuguese press’s highlighting of fake news and lies in recent election campaigns, particularly those in May 2025.A key source is a report by Cyabra, an AI platform for disinformation detection, titled “Fake Voices, Real Votes.” This report, widely featured by CNN Portugal, focused on social media activity leading up to the May 2025 general election (analysis period: April 14 – May 14, 2025).Here are some of their key findings: * High Percentage of Fake Accounts:   * 58% of accounts commenting on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the far-right Chega party were identified as fake. These accounts were used to create an illusion of widespread public support.   * 49% of profiles commenting on posts from the Socialist (PS) and Social Democratic (PSD) parties were also fake. These accounts launched coordinated attacks against opposition leaders while simultaneously promoting Chega. * Coordinated Disinformation Campaign:   * Fake profiles amplified false narratives about Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos and malicious attacks on PSD’s Luís Montenegro.   * They spread conspiracy theories, economic discontent, and anti-immigration rhetoric.   * Many fake accounts engaged in “cross-campaign promotion,” attacking rival parties and praising Chega in the same threads, indicating a coordinated effort to manipulate public opinion. * Impact on Political Discourse:   * The report concluded that these fake profiles and bot networks were actively reshaping Portugal’s political discourse and voter sentiment.   * Dan Brahmy, CEO & Co-founder of Cyabra, stated, “What’s happening in Portugal is a masterclass in modern influence operations… This is a deliberate, strategic campaign to undermine democratic institutions, sway public opinion, and manipulate voters during a critical election.”Broader Context and Previous Trends:While the Cyabra report specifically addresses the May 2025 election, other studies provide context on the landscape of disinformation in Portuguese elections: * Increased Fact-Checking Activity: A comparative analysis of Portuguese fact-checkers (Observador and Polígrafo) in the 2019 and 2022 elections showed an increase in fact-checking activity, suggesting a greater presence of subjectivity and deception in political discourse. * Corruption as a Motivator: A study by Iberifier indicated that corruption is the theme most often targeted by information manipulation campaigns in Portugal. * “National Lie of the Year”: In 2022, Polígrafo attributed the “national lie of the year” to André Ventura, leader of Chega, for numerous inaccuracies and falsehoods spread on social media, during interviews, debates, and in Parliament. * Social Media as a News Source: In 2024, 63% of Portuguese people reported using social media as their primary news source, which can exacerbate the spread of fake news due to algorithms prioritizing engaging and often polarizing content.These statistics clearly demonstrate that the Portuguese press’s concerns about fake news and lies in election campaigns are well-founded, with the May 2025 election seeing a significant and coordinated disinformation effort.