SpainThe article discusses the growing influence of 'bot farms', networks of automated accounts used to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion, in political campaigns, particularly those involving far-right movements. It highlights how these bot networks have been used in various regions, including the United States during Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign, where over 30% of low-credibility articles were shared by bots. The article cites Spanish researcher Marcelino Madrigal, who explains how individuals pay for services to support or attack specific profiles, often benefiting far-right parties. In Latin America, figures like Fernando Cerimedo, an advisor to far-right leaders such as Javier Milei and Jair Bolsonaro, have allegedly used up to 50,000 fake accounts to influence voter behavior. The piece also mentions the arrest of a figure linked to these activities in Bolivia and Argentina, with evidence of a bot farm discovered in his residence. The article further notes similar tactics in Europe, referencing the influence of bots on Spanish politician Pablo Casado’s campaign.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the use of bot farms as primarily benefiting far-right movements, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective. It emphasizes the negative impact of misinformation and the manipulation of public discourse by far-right actors, while highlighting the role of researchers and watchdog
