Fundación Maldita.es has been awarded the 2026 Gold Medal of the Spanish Red Cross in recognition of its work in combating disinformation and its impact on society. The award ceremony took place on May 7 at the theater of the Museum of the University of Navarra in Pamplona, during an event presided over by Queen Letizia on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
Each year, the Spanish Red Cross awards its Gold Medals to individuals and organizations whose social action and commitment to humanitarian values stand out for their relevance and impact. In this edition, the Awards Committee recognized Fundación Maldita.es “for its dedication to combating disinformation.”
As stated in the latest World Disasters Report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, harmful information constitutes a de facto humanitarian crisis, as it hinders access to aid, erodes trust, undermines social cohesion, and increases risks for communities, staff, and volunteers. In this context, the Red Cross has highlighted the contribution of Fundación Maldita.es in mitigating these effects.
“Receiving this recognition is an honor. We are grateful to the Spanish Red Cross for this distinction, which places at the center the importance of truthful information in our societies at a time when hoaxes and falsehoods are trying to overwhelm everything, as well-known by third-sector organizations, including the Red Cross, which have also been affected by this phenomenon,” said the President of the Fundación Maldita.es, Clara Jiménez Cruz. “We want this award to serve as a wake-up call. We need greater political commitment, more investment in media literacy, and stronger collaboration between public and private actors. Disinformation is already having tangible consequences, and failing to act decisively will only worsen its effects,” she added.
With this recognition, the Fundación Maldita.es reinforces its commitment to promoting information integrity and strengthening citizen participation as essential tools for safeguarding democracy.