Impacto de las fake news en las plataformas digitales El Mercioco y El Mercio sobre la COVID-19 y su efecto en la opinión pública ecuatoriana en el 2020.

Abstract

Abstract: This thesis examines the impact that fake news generated on the Ecuadorian digital platforms El Mercioco and El Mercio during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its effect on the public opinion of Ecuadorians. Through a mixed methodology that integrates content analysis, surveys, interviews and the use of analysis tools (clustering); the research identifies the characteristics, dissemination patterns and scope of false information. Furthermore, it evaluates hoy they influenced the perception and behavior of citizens, emphasizing the dual role of digital platforms in both the spread and mitigation of disinformation. The results obtained highlight the need to strengthen media literacy to reinforce the critical capacity of citizens regarding the information they consume on digital platforms. This study contributes to the understanding of the phenomenon of fake news in crisis situations and proposes several strategies to combat its negative impact on society.