Misinformation and polarization in the 2023 elections in Spain: a study of Vox on Instagram
Authors
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Juliana Colussi
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6324-3857
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Ana María Zaharía
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1134-0054
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Daniel Javier de la Garza Montemayor
Universidad de Monterrey
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6962-9059
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Abstract
This study, situated within the field of digital political communication, aims to identify levels of misinformation and polarization in videos published on Vox’s official Instagram account. To achieve this, a methodological design has been developed that includes content analysis of the 109 videos posted by the party over the one-month period preceding the Spanish general elections held on July 23, 2023. Among the main findings of this study are the use of misinformation in 65% of the sample and the predominance of negative polarization. Additionally, regarding affective polarization, the most common emotions are anger, joy, and disgust. One of the conclusions of this research suggests that these videos are part of Vox’s strategy to spread disinformation while simultaneously generating affective and ideological polarization.
Keywords:
misinformation , polarization , Vox , general elections of Spain 2023 , Social NetworksReferences
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