As 2024 comes to a close, I want to thank the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas team, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and our incredible partners for a year of groundbreaking contributions to fostering a healthier online world for Latinos across the Americas. In our first year, we lay a solid foundation for the future. Among many accomplishments, we:
Published 33 REDESCover newsletters detailing trends and narratives spreading in Latino spaces online, growing our opt-in list of recipients from 60 to 600+ subscribers, and our overall list to 1,700+ organizations.
Enhanced social media monitoring capacity through an expansion of DDIA's Spanish-language keywords database from 1,942 to 3,044 keywords.
Took part in 10+ U.S. Congressional engagements where we provided expertise to address online harms and voter suppression.
Conducted 2 foundational polls of 3,000+ Latinos each, through which we measured familiarity and belief in narratives and claims, gauged levels of trust, and studied perceptions around AI.
Conducted a groundbreaking study on prebunking and inoculation for Latinos with YouGov, counting on the creative talents of Cabezahueca Films, Mediaplus Experience and Factchequeado.
Launched the Latinos, Media and Democracy Program, welcoming 12 media professionals to the inaugural cohort.
Wrote snapshots on Elections, Migration, and WhatsApp exploring key narratives, their spread and impact, and trends over time.
Mapped 52 influential Latino digital voices across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Produced case studies on AI manipulation, Javier Milei’s use of social media to engage voters, the Maduro regime’s systematic manipulation of social media to suppress dissent after the July election, and attacks against LGBTQ+ communities across the Americas.
Participated in 70+ events (an average of 5 per month!) where we shared research findings and insights to help equip partners with tools for countering online harms, including the Concordia Americas Summit, the NATO Youth Summit, Florida International University's Hemisphere Security Conference, The Hub Project's New Newsmakers convening, NALEO Educational Fund's MDM panels, the Atlantic Council's Women's History Month events, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center's VII Foro Triángulo América Latina, Unión Europea y Norteamérica, Factchequeado's convening in Miami, Conecta Arizona's WhatsApp Cafecito, and MANY more.
Achieved 600+ media mentions working alongside journalists at the frontlines of countering and covering falsehoods.
Hired our first full-time Program Associate, Daniela Naranjo.
In 2025, we will continue working bringing together insights and actors across the Western Hemisphere to shape a more participatory, inclusive, and resilient digital democracy. Stay tuned.