FIMI analysis of disinformation in the 2023 Spanish elections: objectives, channels and narratives to damage confidence in the electoral system

Abstract

Contemporary electoral processes take place in a completely digitized information ecosystem, through social media platforms and algorithmic tools that have put an end to the editorial intermediation of legacy media. In a scenario where regulation is still emergent, and where institutions are progressively adapting to technological transformation, the electoral system is highly vulnerable to manipulative narratives and disinformation flooding the public debate. In order to gather evidence of information disorders in an electoral context, the Observatorio Complutense de Desinformación developed a methodology, adapted from the European External Action Service’s FIMI taxonomy, and applied it in election observation missions in 14 countries. This particular study shows the results of that observation in the Spanish elections of 2023, where the goal of delegitimizing certain aspects of the electoral process was identified, using Whatsapp as the main distribution channel. The reactions and measures against electoral hoaxes were strong from civil society, but response from social media platforms and state institutions should be improved. In the discussion, this paper first analyzes what was observed, to then offer recommendations to improve the response capacity of all the actors of the democratic system, who, in the face of a multifaceted threat such as disinformation, must act in collaboration.