A Media Regulation Response to Disinformation in a Surge of Polarisation: the Case of Spain

Spain presents an intriguing case for studying the impact of post-truth politics on media regulation. In 2024, the government introduced an "Action Plan for Democracy," which mirrored the title of the 2020 EU Commission initiative. This plan aimed to implement or complement European actions designed to safeguard democracy from disinformation and foreign manipulation. With several key provisions of the EU’s own Action Plan – including significant regulations such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) – set to take effect between 2024 and 2026, the initiative cannot be more timely. However, it was also adopted as a political response to increasing partisan polarization and political personalization, driven by various alleged corruption scandals that led the head of government to hint at a possible resignation. The opposition criticizes this plan, viewing it as an attempt to control and intimidate critical media introducing a extensive suspicion on journalistic integrity through a general concern about fakes. This criticism aligns with the traditional characterization of the Spanish media landscape as an example of polarized pluralism, where media narratives closely align with partisan positions. However, the situation also introduces new elements specific to post-truth politics. One key factor is the profound transformation of the media business model, contributing to greater fragmentation within the media environment. Another significant change involves socio-political transformations that have altered the relationship between politics and the public sphere, leading to changes in media attention cycles, narratives, and the selection of political personnel. Drawing on interviews with key actors involved in media regulation, this paper contributes to a better understanding of both the established and emerging dynamics influencing the development of media regulations in Spain.