Banning fake news in health emergencies. Predictors of opinion on the control of information in Spain
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyze the sociodemographic, ideological and partisan factors that predict citizens' opinion on government control of information in the context of a health emergency in Spain. Data from the April 2020 CIS survey were used. This poll included a controversial question on the banning of fake news during the pandemic. Correlational studies, factorial analysis, linear and logistic regression studies were performed. Although ideological biases are a strong predictor of opinion on information control, partisan affiliation and certain sociodemographic factors such as educational level and age have greater influence on opinion about the prohibition. Voting for the parties that constitute the government increases the probability of supporting the restriction by 40%. Having a higher education practically doubles the probability of expressing an attitude against the suppression of fake news.
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