• Disinformation is of greater concern to citizens who are more interested and confident in the news (87%) than to those who are disinterested and skeptical (59%). 

• Digital news subscribers perceive less risk of hoaxes (59%) than those who opt for free news (72%).

The dissemination of hoaxes has an influence B on public opinion and on citizens' decision-making processes. Their wide circulation, especially in events such as elections, leads to an increase in public distrust of the information they receive. The credibility that can be given to hoaxes can have adverse consequences for both citizens and society. On the one hand, it intoxicates the public discussion ; on the other, it undermines the credibility of the main political and social institutions, including the media. Finally, it fosters polarized attitudes to the extent that cognitive biases make citizens tend to read and trust information (true or not) closer to their ideology. 

For all these reasons, our study once again turns our attention to the concern that Spanish respondents have about misinformation and hoaxes. The data for 2024 shows that respondents' concern about Internet hoaxes has risen sharply: 70% are concerned about what is real and what is fake on the Internet. This is 6 points higher than in 2023 (64%) and is the highest year-on-year increase since records have been kept. It is also the highest percentage since this question began being asked in 2018. 

International comparison

In comparison with the rest of the countries analyzed in the report, Spain is among the ten countries that show a higher level of concern about hoaxes, notably above the average observed in the 47 countries surveyed, where 59% of the participants expressed concern about disinformation. Kenya (84%), Nigeria (81%) and South Africa (81%) top the list of nations most concerned about disinformation. In contrast, in the Slovak Republic (33%), Austria (39%) and Poland (40%), the levels of concern are significantly lower. In terms of regional comparison, Spain, along with Portugal, Ireland and the United Kingdom - all with more than 70% concern - stands out for its high alertness regarding disinformation. 

 Returning to Spain, the analysis by sociodemographic variables sample, as in previous years, shows that there is a relationship between age, income level and educational and concern about hoaxes. In general, the higher the age, income level and training, the greater the concern about this problem. Thus, 64% of those under 35 years of age say they are concerned, compared to 75% of those over 55 years of age. 

 The same is true for income level and Education. Hoaxes are a concern for 65% of respondents with the lowest income level, compared to 77% with the highest income level. Similar percentages are found among the lowest (67%) and highest (76%) educational groups. 

 The level of concern about hoaxes on the Internet sample correlates directly with the Degree level of interest and trust in the news. Specifically, those who demonstrate a high level of interest and trust in the news are more likely to express concern about the presence of hoaxes. Eighty-seven percent of those who are highly interested and trusting of news report being concerned about hoaxes, compared to 59% of those who have little interest or trust in information sources. This relationship suggests that greater engagement with news consumption and trust in information sources may increase sensitivity to the quality and veracity of the information received. People who are more informed and critical tend to be more aware of the presence and potential effects of hoaxes, and therefore show greater concern. On the contrary, those who show disinterest or distrust towards the news seem less alert about the risks associated with hoaxes, possibly due to a lower exhibition or a generalized skepticism towards the information they receive.

Additionally, an interesting dynamic is observed with respect to paying for digital news. Fifty-nine percent of those who pay for digital news express concern about hoaxes, while this concern rises to 72% among those who do not pay for news. This could suggest that those who invest in paid digital news may perceive that they are accessing higher quality and more reliable information, which could decrease their overall concern about hoaxes. On the other hand, those who do not pay for news may be more exposed to free information sources, which often include a higher volume of unverified and potentially false content, thus raising their level of concern.