The programme, which aims to analyse the themes and narratives shaping current affairs on social media, with a particular focus on disinformation, has now surpassed the 20-episode mark. “The Secret of the Algorithm”, broadcast on RTP’s news channel, is based on quantitative data from MediaLab at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon, and features analysis from Gustavo Cardoso, IBERIFIER’s coordinator in Portugal.
The programme airs on Saturdays at 7.30pm and is repeated on Sundays at lunchtime. Full episodes are available on RTP Play. The first season consisted of seven episodes. The second has already reached 14.
Throughout its broadcasts, the programme has examined content such as Lego-style videos produced by Iran to satirise the United States of America, manipulated stories about hantavirus, and the effects of artificial intelligence on the production of disinformation content. Gustavo Cardoso argues that the objectives of disinformation remain the same, with the main changes occurring in the tools being used, highlighting the growing use of artificial intelligence for that purpose.
