The Evolution of the Fight Against Disinformation by European Public Broadcasters of the CIRCOM Network: A Comparative Perspective from 2023 to 2024

The fight against disinformation has become a major issue within the European context and, therefore, also affects public media. This research analyzes the evolution, over the years 2023 and 2024, of the perceptions held by the European regional public broadcasters that make up the CIRCOM network, as they pertain to this struggle. To this end, a total of 28 interviews were conducted, including with the heads of 21 broadcasters from 16 countries, with the aim of observing the possible similarities and differences between different geographical areas (northern, southern, eastern and western Europe), including by comparing with the Spanish regional broadcasters and by determining the main needs and challenges in this regard. It is evident that the fight against disinformation is a very important issue for 80% of those interviewed. Roughly three-quarters of networks combine human and digital resources in their verification processes, though only about one in five has a dedicated fact-checking department. Among the main challenges is the need to strengthen audiences’ media literacy, to incorporate specialized professional profiles in combating disinformation, and to understand new technological tools that may be involved in disinformation, such as AI-generated image manipulation. It is essential that regional public television stations consolidate their position throughout Europe as a benchmark in the production of truthful information and in the development of joint strategies to strengthen verification and media literacy. Although differences between the media systems reflect their distinct institutional structures, the disparities in counter-disinformation resources warrant collective attention.