The contents, actors and interests behind fake news. An analysis of hoaxes verified in Spain and Colombia

Abstract

This research analyzes the content of 416 fake news items identified during the first half of 2021 by Maldita.es and Newtral.es, from Spain, and Colombiacheck and La Silla Vacía, from Colombia. The results show that the majority of the authors of fake news are anonymous, and that this especially harms the current governments and other public officials. The interests of the promoting actors are political-governmental, political-institutional and reputational. The study also asked about the topics, formats and distribution channels of fake news.