Journalism – Research and Projects

Last Thursday, February 19, the conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate” took place at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid. The event, held within the framework of the European project HATEDEMICS, was organized by Maldita.es (MALDITA), the Centro de Estudios Andaluces (CENTRA), and the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies.

The conference brought together journalists, academics, analysts, and representatives of civil society organisations with the aim of reflecting on the current state of the Internet, (mis)information processes, and the rise of hate speech in the digital environment.

The event was opened by representatives of the three partner organisations involved in the project. Speakers included Clara Jiménez, co-founder of the Maldita.es Foundation; Eladia Illescas, researcher at CENTRA; and José Luis Salido, researcher and project coordinator at the Euro-Arab Foundation.

During his speech, José Luis Salido stressed the need to promote initiatives such as HATEDEMICS, which aim to curb the proliferation of online hate speech through the use of technological tools, applied research, and civic education. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation among specialised organizations as an essential way to strengthen digital resilience and safeguard democratic quality in the face of polarization and disinformation.

Analysis and Proposals to Address Online Hate

The first panel of the conference addressed the challenges and possible solutions to online hate speech. The panel featured Mario Lara Delgado, Head of Section at the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE); Ángeles Blanco, Board Member for Cooperation and Hate Crimes at FELGTBI+; and Cristina de la Serna Sandoval, Director of the Department of Equality and Anti-Discrimination at the Fundación Secretariado Gitano. The session was moderated by F. Javier Montilla, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation.

Key issues discussed during the debate included the relationship between hate speech and hate crimes, the causes behind the increase of such discourse in digital environments, the consequences of discrimination both for those who experience it and for society as a whole, and the measures needed to combat this phenomenon. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of existing legislation, its proper enforcement, and the fundamental role of prevention and education.

Project Presentation and Practical Training

The remainder of the conference included a presentation of the HATEDEMICS project by CENTRA, as well as several roundtables featuring journalists who shared their experiences in tackling online disinformation and polarisation. The challenges of accessing high-quality information in today’s digital ecosystem were also discussed.

The event concluded with a workshop presenting the platform and educational materials developed within the framework of the project. The aim was to provide practical tools for identifying hoaxes and fake news, recognising content generated by artificial intelligence, and understanding the cognitive biases that influence information consumption.

The International Congress on Palestine, organised by the Centre for International Historical Studies (CEIH) of the University of Barcelona, was attended by Isabel Pérez, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation, who shared her experience as a former correspondent and resident for four years in the Gaza Strip during the closing session, “Palestine and the media”.

The round table included a lecture by Palestinian journalist and analyst Mariam Barghouti. Afterwards, there was a round table discussion with the following speakers: Isabel Pérez, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation, Joan Roura (TV3), Ricardo Mir de Francia (El Periódico). Ara journalist Cristina Mas moderated the debate.

Isabel Pérez, Head of Communication for International Projects at the Euro-Arab Foundation and part of the Research Secretariat of the EU Knowledge Hub’s Thematic Panel on Ideologies and Narratives of Conspiracy, emphasised the importance of language, semantic field and context in the construction of the journalistic narrative. She highlighted how the media exert a notable influence on public opinion through agenda setting, which determines which issues become news, and framing, which defines how they are reported.

Pérez affirmed that, despite established editorial lines, a journalist with a rigorous professional performance can get his or her proposals published, knowing that his or her news product will always be influenced by his or her knowledge, prejudices or interests, such as the commitment to denounce genocide. The importance of sources was another central pillar of his presentation. Pérez warned that the selection of unreliable sources can lead to misinformation and biased reporting. On the contrary, the use of contrasted sources allows for balanced and fact-based coverage, which contributes to the formation of a critical and informed society and the emergence of a decolonial media narrative.

In his intervention, Pérez also criticised the Israeli propaganda apparatus known as ‘Hasbara’, which aims to improve Israel’s international image and counter criticism. She cited examples such as reports on the beheading of Israeli babies or mass rapes, the veracity of which has been questioned and requires independent investigation. Finally, she called for a more rigorous questioning of official Israeli sources and a deconstruction of the Western and colonial media narrative.

For the Euro-Arab Foundation, the Palestinian issue is of vital importance, and its participation in this congress reinforces its commitment to the analysis and dissemination of accurate information on the region. The Foundation has carried out various activities and campaigns in support of Gaza and Palestine, including the organisation of workshops, seminars and conferences to address the humanitarian and political situation, as well as to promote dialogue and understanding. These initiatives seek to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the Palestinian population and to promote respect for human rights and international law.