ANALYSIS: L.A. Times Layoffs Hurt Latinos — and Los Angeles, by Raul Reyes, published in Mediaite (Available Here)

This analysis focuses on the layoffs announced by the L.A. Times this past week. In particular, it looks at how the cuts to staff disproportionately impact Latinos. According to the author, Reyes, this is part of a bigger trend - the continuing lack of Latinos in newsrooms.

ANALYSIS: How Ecuador went from being Latin America’s model of stability to a nation in crisis, by Eduardo Gamarra, published in FIU News (Available Here)

Eduardo Gamarra, professor of international relations at Florida International University, and DDIA Advisory Council member, analyzes the recent uptick in gang violence in Ecuador. He explores the role of geography, history, and politics in contributing to the country’s volatile situation, and forecasts how the country may be headed toward an enforcement model pioneered by another Latin American country - El Salvador.

RESEARCH: Behind the screens: Russian emotional manipulation strategies against black Americans on social media, by Eugene Kondratov, published in Contemporary Politics (Available Here)

DDIA research consultant Eugene Kondratov presents a new scientific study on how emotional manipulation drives online engagement on social media. Using an in-depth case study of the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency’s interference against Black Americans, he shows how creating content to provoke emotions tied to love, fear, and anger can drive socio-political divisions and offline confrontations.