Disinformation at a Local Level: An Emerging Discussion

Pedro Jerónimo and Marta Sanchez Esparza
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Pedro Jerónimo: LabCom, Department of Communication, Philosophy and Politics, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Marta Sanchez Esparza: Department of Journalism and Corporate Communication, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain

Publications, 2022, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Fake news and disinformation are not a new phenomenon. However, in recent years, they have acquired great prominence on the public agenda, conditioning electoral results and generating episodes of political destabilization. Academic interest runs in parallel with the consideration of disinformation as a growing priority for governments and international organizations, due to its geostrategic relevance and its importance for national sovereignty and security. The interference of countries such as Russia or China in other nations’ electoral processes, using new tools and methods to manipulate public opinion and proliferate cyberattacks have led to the creation of agencies or regulations aimed at curbing disinformation in some states. The UN, the EU and other countries’ governments have tried to develop strategies to respond to this growing threat. The pandemic has accelerated the decline of local media, which leaves communities in a state of serious vulnerability. Reliable resources and sources around local information are scarce assets, information is increasingly consumed through social media, and in them disinformation easily proliferates. With this proposal, we intend to start a discussion around disinformation at a local level, something that has been absent in disinformation studies.

Keywords: disinformation; fake news; local media; local journalism; local communities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A2 D83 L82 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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