And these small parties “can adopt far-reaching strategies based on disinformation”, warns Iberifier in its report "Disinformation consumption patterns in Portugal and Spain".

The researchers note that in Portugal, “despite polarisation being historically low and there being an absence of intentional, deliberate and widespread disinformation campaigns, there are reasons for concern due to a social media landscape dominated by small, more radicalised parties that can adopt long-term strategies based on disinformation.”

It is the “younger groups who show greater distance from the news and, in particular, the less educated” and these “conditions may be contributing to the polarisation of Portuguese society”, the report also reads.

According to data on trust in news, in 2015, 60% of young Portuguese people aged between 18 and 24 trusted the media, a figure that rose to 65% in the 25-34 age group.

In 2023, these percentages fell, to 52% in the 18-24 age group and 48% in the 25-34 age group, where the lowest value is recorded.

"Negative behaviours around the news, such as active avoidance of news and loss of interest, are more prevalent not only among younger people but in particular among the poorest and least educated, an aspect that we believe has a particular impact on the potential growth of polarisation in both countries", according to the document.

Iberifier integrates 23 Iberian research centers and universities, the Portuguese, Lusa, and Spanish news agencies, EFE, and 'fact checkers' such as Polígrafo e Prova dos Factos - Público, from Portugal, and Maldita.es and Efe Verifica, from Spain.