MediaLab’s Carlos Elias Joins RNE Roundtable on Science and Disinformation Five Years After COVID-19

As part of the dissemination activities of the MediaLab’s EU Disinformation Project, the Jean Monnet Chair on Disinformation at the UC3M and principal investigator on the project, recently participated in the RNE roundtable “La ciencia frente al COVID: cinco años después.” The event brought together experts to reflect on how science and society have responded to the pandemic, five years on.

In his remarks, Professor Elías highlighted critical findings from the project, which include the persistence of conspiracy theories—many of which emerged in the early stages of the pandemic and continue to circulate online. From claims about microchips in vaccines to suggestions that COVID-19 was a biological weapon, he emphasised how these narratives are often built on partial truths and scientific confusion. “The rapid success of vaccine development, instead of being celebrated, became a point of suspicion in many conspiracy circles,” he noted, adding that such narratives were fuelled by social media echo chambers and amplified by high-profile misinformation.

Importantly, Professor Elías underscored the critical role of verified media in countering disinformation. “Science and journalism share the same mission: to search for the truth and make it public,” he said. He praised Spain’s comparatively high trust in vaccines and its relative insulation from the politicisation of science seen in other countries. Looking to the future, he called for increased media literacy, stronger support for trustworthy communication channels, and a continued focus on research that bridges science, media, and public understanding.