DIGITAL DISINFORMATION AND SYMBOLIC DISPUTES: ETHICAL-PROFESSIONAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK

Abstract

This article analyzes digital disinformation as a structural phenomenon of contemporary society and examines its ethical-professional implications for Social Work. Fake news is understood not merely as communicational deviation but as part of broader symbolic disputes that influence social perceptions, political decisions, and access to rights. Based on qualitative, bibliographic, and exploratory research, the study draws on theoretical contributions from Social Work, sociology, and philosophy, articulating categories such as symbolic power, informational capitalism, and the profession’s ethical-political project. The analysis demonstrates that the circulation of false or manipulated content interferes with the institutional mediations that structure social workers’ practice, particularly by reinforcing stigmas, weakening trust relationships, and creating barriers to public policies. In crisis contexts, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disinformation directly affected adherence to health and social measures, increasing informational demands in professional practice. The article argues that confronting disinformation requires integrated strategies involving critical education, informational literacy, institutional strengthening, and commitment to qualified knowledge production. It concludes that incorporating the digital dimension into analyses of the social question is essential to reaffirm Social Work’s commitment to social rights, democracy, and social justice.