The post-truth effect in Latin America

Abstract

The present study aims to understand the climate of misinformation in Ibero-America during the month of October 2023, a turbulent period from a political point of view due to the coincidence of several Latin American electoral processes and the outbreak of the most critical phase of the war between Israel and Palestine, events that led to an exponential growth in the circulation of fake news and consequently resulted in an increase in the verification work by specialized media. The cases of Newtral and Chequeado were selected as benchmarks, representing Europe and Latin America. However, even when such events were inserted into the media agendas of the majority, the frequency and focus they received differed, and others that responded to particular interests were included. Hence, although in general the research seeks to identify the predominant topics in the hoaxes debunked by Ibero-American fact-checkers, it also aims to define, from the point of view of their content, the dynamics of news selection, thus trying to establish convergences and differentiating features. To this end, a content analysis of the information they publish is carried out, trying to find similarities between the initiatives and to understand the nature and characteristics of the disinformation with which they work. In order to provide the study with a methodological triangulation, interviews with experts in disinformation are included, as well as a critical review of the literature related to the subject.