Disinformation: A silent epidemic that threatens Democracy and Society in general

Information flows across our screens at a dizzying pace, a ceaseless torrent of news, opinions and data that shape our perception of the world. In this digital sea, misinformation has become a silent epidemic, an invisible threat that corrodes the foundations of truth and trust, endangering democracy and social cohesion.

While access to information is fundamental to a free and informed society, the proliferation of fake news, manipulations and propaganda has become an unprecedented challenge. The ease with which falsehoods are created and spread through the internet and social networks, amplified by algorithms designed to maximize engagement regardless of truthfulness, has created an ecosystem where the truth is diluted in a sea of noise and confusion.

Big tech platforms, with their vast resources and global influence, play a crucial role in the fight against disinformation. However, they often act more as spectators than as active agents, hiding behind the false promise of technological neutrality.

While it is true that they cannot, and should not, become absolute arbiters of truth, they have a responsibility to implement effective mechanisms to mitigate the spread of misinformation on their platforms.

Lately, some of these companies (such as Meta, TikTok, and others) have deactivated the tools they had to report on the way information circulated on their platforms. Now that is unknown, and they can do whatever they want.

The reality is that the excessive desire to maximize profits, driven by business models based on massive data collection and personalized advertising, encourages the viralization of sensational and emotional content, regardless of its veracity.

The lack of effective regulation by government institutions further aggravates the problem. The speed at which information moves in the digital world far exceeds the response capacity of traditional institutions, accustomed to slower paces and bureaucratic processes.

The pressure exerted by the technology giants, with their armies of lawyers and lobbies, hinders the creation of legal frameworks that hold platforms accountable for the misinformation that spreads through their channels.

But the responsibility does not fall solely on technological platforms and institutions. Citizen apathy, the lack of interest in verifying the information we consume and share, creates the perfect breeding ground for misinformation to flourish.

In a world saturated with information, it is easy to fall into the trap of emotions, easy-to-digest news, and narratives that confirm our pre-existing biases.

The cost of misinformation is high and is paid at different levels:

. Erosion of trust: The proliferation of fake news and information manipulation undermines trust in the media, institutions and experts, weakening the social fabric and making constructive public debate difficult.

. Social polarization: Misinformation is often used as a weapon to exacerbate social divisions, stoking hatred, discrimination and violence towards specific groups.

. Threat to democracy: Disinformation can influence electoral processes, undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions and putting political stability at risk.

Combating disinformation requires a multidimensional approach that must involve all social actors:

. Government institutions: Create legal frameworks that regulate the responsibility of technological platforms in the fight against disinformation, without restricting freedom of expression. Making technology platforms implement mechanisms to detect and label false information, collaborating with independent fact-checkers

. Media: Strengthen the quality of journalism, promote media education among the population and collaborate with technological platforms to stop the viralization of misinformation.

. Citizenship: Adopt a critical attitude towards the information we consume, verify sources, avoid the spread of fake news and demand responsibility from platforms and institutions.

We have a multitude of examples at our disposal: The usefulness of vaccines is still questioned, in many areas the same is done with the Climate Crisis, in the USA the number of people who support renewable energies has decreased, dictatorial policies have every day more support, and etc… etc… etc….

The fight against disinformation is a constant battle that requires global and sustained commitment. Misinformation is an invisible but real threat that endangers our ability to make informed decisions, build a just society, and preserve democracy. It is up to all of us to build a future where truth prevails over lies and manipulation.

Every day I have more doubts that we will achieve it, but hope is the last thing that is lost.