Fake news en Ecuador: caso de estudio María Belén Bernal

Abstract

Abstract: The investigation addressed the phenomenon of fake news around the lawyer's case María Belén Bernal, to achieve the objective, the publications made in the digital platforms and digital networks specifically Facebook and Twitter (X), between 11 September and October 11, 2022. Eleven fake news items spread were identified during that period. With these results, a survey was applied to 49 students from the Communication degree at the UTPL to know the level of media competence that have to consume information and avoid fake news, interviews were also conducted with experts from the legal and journalistic field to learn about the treatment of the event in the country. The results allow us to emphasize the responsibility of the media in the verification and correction of information before being shared. The investigation recommended the implementation of awareness and media literacy campaigns for the population. Likewise, it was suggested to improve the content verification mechanisms in the digital networks and platforms and in this way promote journalistic ethics and journalism quality. These actions seek to combat the spread of fake news and strengthen the trust in the information disseminated on digital platforms and networks.