Stop Chasing the Stick. Reclaim the Narrative!

The text analyzes the threat of systematic disinformation to democracy, arguing that fake news are not random errors but an intentional political strategy, especially used by populist right-wing groups, to manipulate consensus and distract from real problems. The author describes the mechanism of creating false counter-narratives to bury uncomfortable facts, exploiting the tendency of the human mind to remember the initial information more than the denial. The proposal is made to counter this tactic through rapid and decisive legal actions against defamation, but it warns that systematic media denunciation risks inadvertently amplifying falsehoods. The proposed solution is a combination of contained strategic communication (limiting the public exposure of falsehoods), legislative reform to accelerate judicial proceedings, and strengthening critical education among the masses.