Public Policy and Institutional Development

We work to protect information integrity through research, evaluation, and promotion of solutions that are grounded in evidence and fully respectful with freedom of expression. To that end, we work with public and private institutions all over the world, sharing Fundación Maldita.es' knowledge and analyzing the design and effectiveness of regulatory frameworks, and the role of the major digital platforms.

News and Analysis

Stay up to date with our monitoring and analysis of regulatory frameworks, platform decisions, and developments in information policies.

Our Work in Public Policy and Institutional Development

We monitor regulatory developments and provide evidence-based analysis to inform policies that strengthen information integrity, platform accountability, and institutional transparency.

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Digital Services and Platform Regulation

We analyze the implementation of regulations such as the Digital Services Act and monitor platform compliance with regulatory frameworks at local, national, European, and international levels, providing evidence on their effectiveness and areas for improvement.

  • DSA implementation analysis
  • Content moderation standards monitoring
  • Systemic risks framework assessment
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AI Governance and Transparency

We research the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems, especially in content recommendation and automated analysis, contributing to the debate on algorithmic transparency.

  • AI Act compliance analysis
  • Algorithmic transparency in recommendation systems
  • Automated decision-making assessment
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Protection of Information Integrity

We develop and analyze strategies to strengthen information integrity while protecting fundamental rights and freedom of expression, based on evidence about which measures are effective.

  • Evaluation of strategies for information integrity
  • Media literacy framework analysis
  • Information crisis response protocols
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Media Literacy and Education

We promote the integration of media literacy and critical thinking skills in educational curricula and public awareness campaigns, contributing to the development of national frameworks.

  • Contribution to national media literacy strategies
  • Development of educator training programs
  • Design of public awareness campaigns

Documents and Reports

Access our reports and resources on public policy, regulatory analysis, and position papers that provide evidence.

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Disinformation in online platforms targeting weather agencies: Analysis of systemic risk under the EU's Digital Services Act

Research • October 2025

Disinformation targeting entities such as AEMET undermines their public image, a crucial factor given their role in issuing warnings about adverse weather events. Although the DSA sets clear obligations, platforms are still not fully prepared to effectively mitigate the risks posed by such content, though there are differences among them. Measures such as promoting information from official authorities or labeling disinformative content can help improve the quality of online information during natural disasters.

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Faster, trusted, and more useful: The Impact of Fact-Checkers in X's Community Notes

Report • February 2025

A study by Fundación Maldita.es on more than 1,175,000 Community Notes proposed by X users throughout 2024 reveals that 1 in every 27 included a link to an article from a fact-checker accredited by the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) or the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). This makes independent fact-checkers the third most cited source in Community Notes, only behind X itself and Wikipedia.

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"Simply (isn't) appropriate" The videos that show why YouTube needs fact-checking, just when they announced they don’t

Report • January 2025

Four examples of why fact-checking is “appropriate” on YouTube. YouTube has abandoned its commitment to collaborate with fact-checking organisations under the Code of Practice on Disinformation. The company claims that these measures are not “appropriate or effective” for its services, while videos promoting fake cancer cures, alarmist content, or scams sometimes reach millions of views without YouTube warning its users.

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Platform Response to Disinformation during the US Election 2024

Report • January 2025

Analysis of the responses of very large online platforms to debunked disinformation in Spanish during the US Election 2024.

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Standards for Advocacy, Public Policy and Lobbying Activities

Our public policy work is guided by strict ethical standards and principles of transparency. We maintain the highest levels of integrity in all our institutional interactions.

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    Transparency and Disclosure

    We fully disclose our funding sources, policy positions, and institutional relationships. All lobbying activities are duly registered and documented according to applicable regulations.

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    Evidence-Based Advocacy

    Our policy recommendations are based on rigorous research, data analysis, and expert consultation. We provide decision-makers with accurate and verified information.

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    Non-Partisan Approach

    We maintain strict political neutrality and engage with all relevant stakeholders regardless of their political affiliation. Our focus is on evidence-based policy solutions.

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    Conflict of Interest Management

    We identify and manage potential conflicts of interest through clear protocols and disclosure mechanisms, ensuring our advocacy remains independent and credible.

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    Respectful Engagement

    We engage with institutional representatives in a professional and respectful manner, following established protocols and demonstrating courtesy in all interactions.

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    Public Interest Focus

    All our advocacy efforts are directed at promoting the public interest, democratic values, and the common good, rather than narrow sectoral interests.

Get Regulatory Updates Affecting Information Integrity Straight to Your Inbox

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Desinfo Policy Updates
Monthly newsletter with regulatory landscape analysis

What will you receive each month?

  • DSA and AI Act implementation analysis
  • Monitoring of critical platform decisions
  • Insights based on our fact-checking experience
  • Early access to our research reports
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Contact Us

Interested in information integrity policies? Get in touch.