As Spain gears up for a crucial general election, the country is currently grappling with misleading claims and baseless conspiracy theories circulating on social media platforms. Researchers and experts have voiced their criticism over the inconsistent approach taken by these platforms, which allows such misinformation to proliferate unchecked.
A Familiar Narrative: Mail Ballots and Election Fraud
The allegations of election fraud and concerns over the use of mail ballots have gained traction on social media channels in Spain. These claims, reminiscent of the baseless assertions made by former U.S. President Donald Trump during the 2020 U.S. election, are being amplified by supporters of the centre-right Popular Party and the far-right Vox Party. With the general election looming, these misleading narratives could potentially sway the outcome in favor of the populist right, as the Popular Party seeks to wrest power from the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and its far-left coalition partner, Unidas Podemos.
Culture Wars Intensify: Vox Party's Targets
Leading up to the Spanish election, the far-right Vox Party has intensified its rhetoric, focusing on contentious issues such as gay rights and women's rights. Viral videos, subsequently debunked, purporting to show election workers tampering with ballot boxes have circulated widely on Facebook and Twitter. While Facebook has taken measures to label these videos as false, Twitter has yet to take any action. Additionally, there are videos circulating on Facebook and TikTok that allege the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party will resort to election fraud to avoid defeat.
Casting Doubt on Mail Ballots
The use of mail ballots has become a central point of contention in the realm of election conspiracy theories. Certain far-right voters have suggested that the post office will be utilized to manipulate the election results in favor of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. Amplifying this narrative is Alberto Feijoo, the leader of the Popular Party, who, during a recent campaign rally in Murcia, called upon Spain's postal employees to maintain their independence. He urged them to ensure the timely distribution of all mail-in ballots, emphasizing the challenges associated with handling a large volume of mail ballots. It is important to note that Feijoo clarified that he was not insinuating any intent to steal the election through the postal service.
Social Media: A Breeding Ground for Conspiracy Theories
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have become hotbeds for the spread of election-related misinformation. Researchers at Reset, a nonprofit organization studying the impact of social media on democracies worldwide, have identified numerous instances of false claims and conspiracy theories surrounding the Spanish election across these platforms. While the specific types of content vary across platforms, with Twitter being particularly prone to anti-Muslim hate speech, election denialism can be found regardless of the platform.
The Reach of Extremist Content and Disinformation
Reset's analysts have discovered numerous social media accounts with significant and growing followings that consistently spread extremist content and disinformation in Spain. These accounts collectively have over 14 million followers, with nearly a million gained recently. Since January, posts flagged by Reset for containing hate speech or election conspiracy theories have garnered nearly 100 million views. The researchers at Reset concluded that the spread of election fraud narratives that undermine trust in democratic processes is pervasive across multiple platforms.
Inconsistency in Platform Policies
Reset's report highlights the inconsistency in the approaches taken by tech platforms when it comes to identifying and removing false claims. Conspiracy theories and misleading information about the election may be labeled or removed on one platform, while they remain untouched on another. Such inconsistency poses a significant challenge in curbing the spread of online misinformation and protecting the integrity of democratic processes.
As Spain stands on the brink of an important election, it is crucial to remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation. Addressing this issue requires a coordinated effort from both social media platforms and users themselves. By staying informed and critically evaluating the information we encounter, we can collectively combat online falsehoods and safeguard the democratic foundations of our society.
Misbar’s Sources:
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