Telegram Channels: The Dark Side of Alternative Information

The Noticias Rafapal channel, with its 125,000 subscribers on Telegram, positions itself as “journalism for cosmic minds” and encourages viewers to purchase books and t-shirts from their store. Recent news includes allegations against the Israeli Pegasus spy software and claims regarding Begoña Gómez’s involvement in a corruption scheme with the Moroccan government.

La Quinta Columna TV presents itself as an “alternative information channel” that seeks financial support from its viewers for their research and development work. Their articles cover topics like graphene in vaccines and suspicious deaths related to the Covid vaccine, among other alternative versions of official narratives.

Although these channels cater to the demand for uncensored information, they offer various payment options for collaboration ranging from bank transfers to mobile payment services. Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology have focused on analyzing these Telegram conspiracy channels’ financial aspects, highlighting different ways they generate revenue such as affiliate programs, donations, and crowdfunding campaigns.

The study also reveals how some channels target Spanish-speaking audiences with unique financial strategies like e-commerce platforms and donation campaigns. It highlights the challenges of combating disinformation and conspiracy theories within the digital landscape. With minimal content moderation on Telegram, these channels have become hubs for various forms of information, both legitimate and potentially harmful.