From Scientific Journals to Newspapers in Spain: Interest in Disinformation (2000–2023)

Beatriz Catalina García, María del Carmen García Galera () and Mercedes Del Hoyo Hurtado
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Beatriz Catalina García: Journalism and Corporate Communication Department, Communication Science School, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain
María del Carmen García Galera: Journalism and Corporate Communication Department, Communication Science School, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain
Mercedes Del Hoyo Hurtado: Journalism and Corporate Communication Department, Communication Science School, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28943 Madrid, Spain

Societies, 2024, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: As disinformation has become a topic of conversation in the media in recent years, the theory of agenda setting is once again making its presence known. The aim of this research is to verify the degree of interest in disinformation by the media (mainstream press) and in academic writing (scientific communication journals) according to frequency and whether or not such disinformation can be observed in the field of science. The primary research has been carried out through quantitative content analysis of three Spanish newspapers ( El País , Abc , El Mundo ) and 32 Spanish scientific communication journals included in the SJR-SCImago Journal Rank database from the year 2000 to 2023. The results were 732 units of analysis. From those, it can be concluded that once again, the pandemic represents a before and after. Firstly, a general increase in disinformation has been observed, as well as a corresponding rise in false information in certain fields of science, especially that of health. Secondly, a gradual increase in public interest in disinformation has also been detected, which indicates that the issue is on the agenda of both the media and citizens.

Keywords: disinformation; agenda setting theory; science; press; scientific journals; fake news; hoaxes; content analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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