9781611500646_

In this well documented 273-page book with over 400 references, the author argues that the Catalan independence movement has been attacked by the Spanish authorities using, among other strategies, disinformation, manipulation and accusations of indoctrination. It exposes the insistent attempts by the Spanish authorities to engage in large-scale disinformation as one of its strategies, along with endless threats and lawfare, to try to discredit, decapitate and counter what is, in fact, an entirely peaceful, democratic movement.

After a Preface by Professor Henry Ettinghausen, the book consists of a short Introduction followed by seven chapters and a short list of conclusions. The chapters are Fake news is not new. It goes well back in history, Fake News and Russian influence, a concern in Europe and beyond, The Catalan independence process and Spains foreign policy, The Catalan independence process: a breeding-ground for falsehoods, manipulation, fake news... and unrelenting lawfare, Claims of Russian involvement in the Catalan independence process, The Covid-19 pandemic, democratic values, and disinformation, and The Covid-19 pandemic: a new excuse to hammer the Catalan independence process.

Michael Strubell (Oxford, 1949) holds degrees in Psychology & Physiology (Oxford), in Psychology of Education (Institute of Education, London), and in Psychology (Autonomous University of Barcelona), where he also obtained a Diploma in Advanced Studies.

He worked from 1980 to 1999 for the Catalan government, in the language promotion unit and then, until his retirement in 2014, he taught at the Open University of Catalonia. During his career he has coordinated international projects commissioned by the European Parliament and the European Commission. He has been on missions to former Soviet bloc countries for the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Though he has never belonged to a party, he has worked increasingly, since 2002, in favour of the democratic movement, through grass-roots organisations, first towards greater autonomy, and later towards independence, for the Catalan people.

(*_*)9781611500646_

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Filtros

Catalonia Press