This is one of the four innovation approaches recommended in the report "Patterns of disinformation consumption in Portugal and Spain", prepared by Iberifier, a project that aims to combat disinformation.

According to the study, in Portugal and Spain "trust in the media and in the idea of journalism and news as a solution to disinformation phenomena is considerably less widespread among younger generations, namely between 18 and 24 years old".

And negative behaviors around the news, "such as active avoidance of news and loss of interest, are more prevalent not only among the youngest, but especially among the poorest and the least educated".

It is an aspect that the researchers believe "has a particular impact on the potential growth of polarization in both countries".

In the report, Iberifier makes 10 recommendations, six of which are for continuity and four for innovation.

Studying responses with Artificial Intelligence

In this latter area, it recommends "critically and urgently developing academic research and regulatory frameworks that study and address the threats of artificial intelligence, while allowing the maximization of its benefits".

Studying differences between Portugal and Spain

It also proposes "further research on the aspects that differentiate Spain and Portugal, not only related to dimensions (e.g., political, scientific, social, economic, among others), but also related to specific events and phenomena" and "an increasingly transnational approach based not only on the geographical borders of both countries, but also on the assumption that the Spanish language and the Portuguese language are a unifying factor for 645 and 236 million people worldwide, respectively".

Studying the "routes" of viralization

Finally, the observatory recommends identifying "possible routes of disinformation viralization through different platforms, mapping trends between different typologies of social media platforms".

Understanding behaviors in disinformation

Iberifier recommends the continuation of "the adoption of psychological and social frameworks that subjectively frame the perception of audiences and their behaviors in relation to information and disinformation, and exploration of negative behavior patterns (diminished interest in the news or avoidance of news)".

Studying electoral processes 

"Exhaustive approaches" on specific events should also continue "such as national and regional electoral processes, armed conflicts", among others, in addition to a "deeper understanding of the circulation of disinformation content on social media, from a holistic perspective of supply and demand".

Multidisciplinary research and more literacy

It also recommends "the persistence of multidisciplinary and multi-institutional approaches to the detriment of isolated and 'insular' approaches" and "increased investment in media and news literacy for the population". Finally, it reinforces the need for "convergence of political and regulatory frameworks".

Iberifier includes 23 Iberian research centers and universities, the Portuguese news agencies, Lusa, and Spanish, EFE, and 'fact checkers' such as Polígrafo and Prova dos Factos - Público, from Portugal, and Maldita.es and Efe Verifica, from Spain.

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