Journalism is an essential public good. Its weakness is the weakness of democracy. In an environment where disinformation is a political tool and algorithms shape our perception of reality, news companies have the opportunity and the responsibility to reaffirm their role as a sentinel of public authorities, a guarantor of truth and a space for informed discussion . It is an arduous but necessary path to ensure that Spanish democracy remains a space for critical and participatory citizenship.

As has been demonstrated in recent weeks, far from being a mere observer, journalism is a key player in preserving the democratic health of any country. This is revealed in the recent 'Digital News Report Spain 2025', published by researchers from the School of Communication at the University of Navarra, in partnership with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The paradox revealed by this year's report is eloquent: despite the growing polarization and the palpable distrust in the information ecosystem, an overwhelming majority of Spaniards (75 percent) recognize the contribution of journalism to democracy. This figure is a citizen endorsement of the function of informing, monitoring power and facilitating public discussion . Even in an environment of polarization and political trenches, there persists in the collective imagination of Spaniards the hopeful perception that without independent journalism democracy would be lame. Journalistic brands, from national newspapers to television or the new digital native newspapers, are revealed as core topic references, especially for the most informed and critical citizens. Despite its weaknesses, Spanish society values journalistic work when it is carried out with rigor, commitment and independence.

However, this light casts troubling shadows. The report forcefully points out that politicians, both domestic (57 percent) and foreign (45 percent), are perceived as the main source of disinformation. These figures, which place Spain above the average of the 48 countries participating in the study, are a severe wake-up call. It is painful to recognize that those who should be the source of truthful information for citizens are now seen as the biggest threats. Politicians tend to fare badly in trust surveys, but to be considered the main source of hoaxes is a symptom of the degradation of public discussion . We must demand responsibility from political representatives: their statements have consequences, and their lies -by omission or commission- have an impact on society. Parties should also reflect: in the short term they may benefit from polarizing or intoxicating the narrative, but in the long term such practices erode the democracy they themselves represent.

The strategy of discrediting the media by certain political actors -from the distant accusation of caste, to the most recent slime machine, to the "you won't see this in the media"- not only weakens journalism and undermines the very foundations of democracy, but is radically false: excellent pages of good journalism are published every day in our country. These systematic smear campaigns against the media and the inclusion of 'fake news' in the political diary seek to erode their credibility in the eyes of the public. This strategy, added to the economic precariousness of the sector, weakens them and facilitates abuses of power and political action without proper oversight.

Disinformation, far from being a marginal phenomenon, is a central concern for 69 percent of those surveyed in Spain, a figure that places us in ninth position out of the 48 countries analyzed. This concern has increased due to the speed with which new technologies, including artificial intelligence, can generate and disseminate false content. In this context, journalism emerges as a fundamental dike: the press is consolidating its position as the preferred mechanism for Spaniards to verify hoaxes, which underlines its inescapable responsibility in the construction of a truthful and honest account, despite the pressures and attacks.

In addition, the report 's data show that when people use search engines or social networks to verify hoaxes, they tend to pay attention to results that come from news media - 36 percent of those who use Google, for example, pay attention mainly to content from journalists; and 50 percent of those who get their information through social networks pay attention mainly to what is published by the media or journalists. These data seem crucial to me: the legitimacy of the media in a democracy is closely linked to its trustworthiness. If journalism retains its credibility, it will continue to be the reference letter that people look for amidst the noise. If it loses it, it will be on the same level as any 'influencer' who propagates unfounded theories. Therefore, let me be very clear on this point: the fight against disinformation inevitably involves strengthening professional journalism.

The current challenge for journalism is not limited to combating hoaxes, it goes beyond that. It involves reconnecting with a citizenry that, although skeptical, still needs reliable information to navigate the complexity of the world. Information evasion, especially widespread among young people and ideological extremes, is a symptom of citizens' fatigue and disaffection with the news. Far from throwing in the towel in the face of this apathy, many media are adapting to bring information to where the audience is, in the formats they prefer, and offering new topics that are closer and more relevant. This does not imply trivializing or infantilizing citizens - rigorous journalism can be done on Instagrambut evolving without losing the essence. On the contrary, reducing informative per diem expenses to a few brands or falling into the trap of extreme algorithmic personalization can lead to a less informed society and less capable of making informed democratic decisions.

Finally, for journalism to remain a robust pillar of democracy, it is imperative that the media strengthen their commitment to independence, ethics and quality. This implies investment in news companies and an eagerness to attract and retain the talent of news professionals. It also requires constant self-criticism and greater transparency to rebuild lost trust. Society, for its part, must recognize and defend the value of quality journalism, demand rigor and plurality, and resist the temptation to consume information that only reinforces its biases.