DISINFORMATION AND MEDIA TRUST: PROPOSALS FOR ACTION

Disinformation has influenced public trust in democratic institutions, particularly the media. Through examples from countries with varying levels of democratic quality, it is demonstrated how disinformation is used to polarize and politically mobilize. The role of the media in this context is crucial, as trust in them depends on multiple interrelated factors, such as the impact of disinformation on news consumption and public trust, the psychological and sociocultural factors that affect vulnerability to disinformation, and technological advances, especially generative artificial intelligence. Based on this diagnosis, mechanisms of self-regulation and increased transparency are proposed as foundations to improve trust. Additionally, the need for academic research on the role of digital platforms and algorithms in the spread of disinformation and its impact on trust and democratic quality is emphasized.