Main subject/topic: This work deals with rumour as a message which undergoes a metamorphic process in its content and form and which produces atypical effects on the Internet. It is worth highlighting the relevance of this type of message in the digital environment, as well as the importance of the effects which rumours produce in today’s knowledge-driven society. Logical development of the subject: Firstly, the «rumour», the «hoax» and the «fake news» are defined, before exposing this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary approach. Secondly, the author expands the content of this unusual communication process from the point of view of Communication Theory. The focus is put on verbal metamorphosis this type of message experiences as well as on «disturbing» effects that it has on the individual and on the digital society. Finally, there are concrete examples of reactions from the Internet which these types of «perverse» but seductive messages provoke. The author’s point of view and contributions: Author’s main contributions are the redefinition of the rumour in the digital society and the analysis of two significant cases of combative reactions to hoaxes and rumours on the Internet in Spain: Auntocontrol and SaludSinBulos. Implications and conclusions: The relevance of this article for the academic and social sphere is demonstrated by the confirmation that certain institutions are identifying rumours and hoaxes on the Internet and are developing atypical strategies to neutralize the content of these messages. The conclusions derived have more to do with the process of spontaneous communication of rumour, taking into account each of its elements, as well as the functions exercised by this type of messages affected by prejudice and testimonials. The author concludes the work with some other problems that should be debated within the scientific community.

This paper analyzes the main variables that determine the relationship between disinformation and youth responsibility during the latest stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain (from April to June 2021). Are young people keeping well informed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain? Are the youth behaving responsibly? This document presents several results regarding these questions. In our introduction, we establish a theoretical framework for the following concepts: disinformation, responsibility, credibility, and youth responsibility variables. Our primary interest is in communication factors. The applied methods are a reference review of the national and international literature surrounding this subject and qualitative opinion research conducted through discussion groups with young university students from private and public communication schools in Madrid. A recent study, held in June 2021, provides valuable material for this paper. The main results and findings are as follows: not being satisfied with the information received about COVID-19; knowledge about the most credible news sources; the connection between information and responsibility; and the solutions that are claimed to more responsible in this context by various youth participants. In conclusion, this paper confirms the first hypothesis of considering disinformation as a variable that causes a lack of personal responsibility among youths in complying with public health expectations. Regarding the second hypothesis, we verify that young people consider communication one of the main solutions for being more responsible. In other words, when presented with more information about COVID-19 they feel more aware of the disease.

El arte siempre ha sido instrumento de comunicación, adaptándose a las distintas plataformas de expresión de cada época. A partir de las pinceladas de Goya y Picasso, primero con carácter velado y después de forma explícita, se pueden advertir, siguiendo el método iconológico, los precedentes de las propuestas del “artivismo” de hoy en cuanto a la exposición de denuncia social. En este estudio se realiza un análisis comunicativo, partiendo de la resignificación de los muros de los palacios, proporcionando un contexto que lo diferencie del marco mediático cotidiano. En un primer momento interesa considerar esta actividad artística como expresión comunicativa privilegiada. Estos mensajes se incorporan a los nuevos medios de expresión y se les dota de un halo de excelencia que los distingue del ámbito mediático. En un segundo plano se aporta un punto de vista comunicativo funcional, al considerar el arte como un vehículo de expresión de la crítica social. Estas obras podrían ser consideradas las huellas de los que importan -desde los reyes hasta los colectivos inconformistas-, pero sin el significado habitual de reproducción de lo establecido. Por último, se proporcionará una visión global de este peculiar proceso comunicativo cuyo objetivo es la protesta y sus herramientas experienciales y digitales son las diferentes formas de expresión artística que nuestra sociedad de hoy ofrece. En este sentido se analiza su función disruptiva, la creación y emisión de estos mensajes, su valor como «bandera» de la denuncia social, y la eficacia comunicativa que lo caracteriza. Este fenómeno plantea en la actualidad nuevos soportes para conseguir viejos objetivos de la sociología del conflicto. La “pintada colectiva” del “artivismo” queda con este trabajo dibujada por las dos disciplinas que lo afectan, el arte y la comunicación y, en nuestro siglo, será la comunicación digital la que proporcione el marco de interacción que estas formas de expresión necesitan.

Sumario: 1. Introducción: dos focos para iluminar unos mensajes difusos 2. Metodología 3. Resultados3.1. Estado de la cuestión: anclajes de un mensaje «informal» o «extraoficial»3.2. Credibilidad y coherencia: dos variables en juego3.3. Credibilidad y coherencia: dos ejemplos clásicos 4. Discusión: bulos y rumores, mensajes que inquietan4.1. Mensajes que inquietan y Desinformación4.2. Mensajes que inquietan e Inteligencia Artificial4.3. Dos focos de mensajes inquietantes, a debate 5. Conclusiones: el binomio C+C en juego 6. Referencias