Portugal: Iberian Social Media Disinformation Revealed as Systemic, Transnational Issue

Disinformation circulating across the Iberian Peninsula has become increasingly systematic and transnational, according to a comprehensive new study released by the Iberian Digital Media Observatory (Iberifier).

The report, “Disinformation on social media in the Iberian digital media ecosystem,” reveals an intricate network of Portuguese and Spanish channels that disseminate identical false information across national boundaries, creating a cohesive disinformation ecosystem that spans both countries.

Researchers analyzed thousands of false publications focused on three main topics: COVID-19, climate change, and gender issues. Their findings indicate that disinformation primarily circulates through multilingual groups with strong connections between Spanish and Portuguese digital communities.

“Although each rumour has individual differences, the large-scale dynamics of propagation remain,” the researchers noted in their analysis. The study found significant overlap between the three topic areas, suggesting coordinated disinformation campaigns rather than isolated incidents.

The false narratives share several common characteristics. They typically adopt conspiratorial and anti-government positions, frequently associate with denialist viewpoints, and consistently target scientific and European institutions. The World Health Organization, European Union, and NASA were identified as frequent targets of these disinformation campaigns.

Telegram emerged as the primary platform for the research due to its data accessibility, allowing researchers to track information flows more comprehensively than on other social networks. This methodological choice highlights the ongoing challenge researchers face in accessing data from major platforms to study disinformation patterns.

COVID-19 misinformation continues to circulate widely despite being increasingly dated, serving as what researchers described as “an abundant source of readily available medical disinformation.” Meanwhile, climate change disinformation has taken on new urgency as global temperatures rise and public consensus becomes increasingly critical for policy action.

Gender-related disinformation presented a particularly troubling dimension, often serving as a vehicle for hate speech. Researchers noted that understanding these dissemination patterns could provide valuable insights into how harmful content spreads more generally across digital platforms.

The report draws connections between these disinformation networks and far-right political movements, suggesting ideological motives behind many of the false narratives. This political dimension adds another layer of complexity to addressing the problem, as it intertwines with legitimate political discourse.

In response to these findings, the Iberifier researchers recommend a multi-faceted approach to combat cross-border disinformation. They emphasize the need for enhanced media and scientific literacy programs to help citizens better identify false information. Additionally, they call for improved researcher access to platform data and more coordinated European policies specifically designed to address transnational disinformation campaigns.

The Iberifier project, supported by the European Union, represents one of the most comprehensive analyses of cross-border disinformation in the Iberian region to date. By revealing the systematic nature of these networks, the report challenges the notion that disinformation operates primarily through isolated channels or is limited by national boundaries.

The full report is available on the Iberifier website, offering detailed analysis and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and media organizations working to counter disinformation in the digital age.

As disinformation continues to evolve in sophistication and reach, this research underscores the need for equally sophisticated monitoring and response mechanisms that can operate across national boundaries and multiple languages—mirroring the very networks they seek to counter.