Abstract
In the era of digital media, the spread of fake news and hate speech poses a serious threat to democracy, human rights and social cohesion. These phenomena can manipulate public opinion and polarize society, eroding trust in institutions and harming public sector organizations. But what do we mean by fake news and hate speech? And how are these phenomena perceived by politicans and local administrators? The results of a questionnaire conducted in summer 2023 among political and administrative actors in Trentino-South Tyrol, highlight that hate speech, while being perceived as relatively rare, still happens mainly in the real world. Fake news is instead more common, but still relatively rare. Therefore, to tackle the challenges of fake news and hate speech, proactive actions at both the government and societal level are not only welcome but also highly needed.