Quoting to deceive: fake quotes and political delegitimization in Spanish far right grassroots disinformation campaigns
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Agnese Sampietro
Abstract
This paper focuses on the deliberate fabrication of quotations attributed to rival politicians by Spanish far right activists and their dissemination on social media (particularly Twitter/X). It argues that such practices can be viewed as attempts to undermine the credibility and legitimacy of political adversaries. The data were obtained from Al Descubierto (http://aldescubierto.org), an organization specializing in tracking disinformation spread in Spain by the far right. This study examines a collection of anti-government disinformation, specifically focusing on the content of fake quotes attributed to government officials or other left-leaning politicians. The analysis uncovers a calculated attempt to portray left-wing politicians as incompetent leaders, thereby undermining their legitimacy to govern the nation. Specifically, it shows that fake quotes can help present politicians as immoral and their policies as irrational. In short, these fabricated quotes are used to erode trust in governing institutions and delegitimize politicians and policy initiatives.
Resumen
Este artículo estudia las citas falsas inventadas por activistas españoles de extrema derecha y su difusión en las redes sociales (especialmente en Twitter) con el objetivo de socavar la credibilidad y legitimidad de los adversarios políticos. Los datos se obtuvieron de Al Descubierto (https://aldescubierto.org), una organización especializada en el rastreo de la desinformación difundida en España por la extrema derecha. Se estudian ejemplos de desinformación antigubernamental, centrándonos específicamente en el contenido de citas falsas atribuidas a miembros del Gobierno o a otros políticos de izquierdas. El análisis muestra que hay un intento claro de presentar a los políticos de izquierdas como incompetentes para gobernar el país, reduciendo su legitimidad. En concreto, el análisis muestra que las citas falsas contribuyen a presentar a los políticos como personas de dudosa moralidad y a hacer que sus propuestas políticas parezcan irracionales. En resumen, estas citas inventadas se utilizan para erosionar la confianza en las instituciones, deslegitimar a los políticos rivales y despreciar sus iniciativas políticas.
Funding source: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
Award Identifier / Grant number: PID2020-113574RB-I00
Funding source: Universitat Jaume I
Award Identifier / Grant number: 23I462.01/1
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by Universitat Jaume I (Grant 23I462.01/1) and partially by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Grant PID2020-113574RB-I00). I am grateful to Anastasia Ioana Pop for her assistance with the initial compilation of the dataset, and to the anonymous reviewers and the editors of this special issue for their insightful comments.
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