“Face to face” debates, a political model of disinformation in Spanish democracy

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the inaccuracies, lies and partial views of reality in face-to-face debates in the current Spanish democracy. Political leaders use all the means at their disposal to achieve the goal of reaching the majorities necessary to allow them to govern, such as the exposition of partial realities or the intentional manipulation of time and the political agenda. These political manoeuvres, perceived by citizens, can have a negative impact on elections, or perhaps, if other concepts are included, such as political fanaticism or political disaffection, linked to polarisation, they may have the opposite effect and reinforce the position of a specific electorate.