Politics, deception, and propaganda: paltering as a disinformation tool in the media Medical Side of Cannabis in the Spanish Press

Abstract

In a political and media context marked by the post-truth phenomenon and disinformation, paltering emerges as a particularly sophisticated use of deception. Barely studied in the literature, paltering introduces a deceptive idea on the grounds of a true statement, hence becoming a specially advantageous propaganda technique, since sometimes it is easier to deliver propaganda based on truth. This article studies how the Spanish media reported two specific paltering-related political incidents. We content-analyze the coverage of both cases in Spain’s four largest newspapers in terms of audience. Results indicate that paltering is present in the media (especially within the news sphere), that it is reproduced uncritically and without question, and that its impact is exacerbated in electoral contexts.