La era de la posverdad

Post-truth: when facts are no longer enough

The term posverdad (post-truth) has become central to public discourse in the Spanish-speaking world, describing an era where emotions and personal beliefs take precedence over objective facts.

Key vocabulary of the phenomenon

• Bulo is the common Spanish term for a hoax or piece of fake news. Unlike "noticia falsa," it implies a deliberate intent to deceive
• Sesgo de confirmación describes the tendency to only retain information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs
• Cámara de eco refers to the digital environment where one is only exposed to opinions similar to one's own
• Viralización describes the process by which content spreads massively on social media

The disinformation ecosystem

• Desinformación is distinct from a simple error: it is intentional and aims to manipulate public opinion
• Hechos alternativos are claims presented as factual but contradicting verifiable evidence
• Polarización is both a cause and consequence of disinformation, creating a vicious cycle
• Verificación (fact-checking) has become a discipline in its own right in Spanish-language journalism

Cultural nuances

• In Latin America, political propaganda has a long history, making the concept of post-truth particularly sensitive
• Spanish-language media use "bulo" (Spain) or "noticia falsa" (Latin America) depending on the region