Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas at the 2025 Science Journalism Forum

DDIA's Senior Consultant Researcher, Cristina Tardaguila, participated as a speaker at the 2025 edition of the Science Journalism Forum (SJF), on October 29 in the United Arab Emirates and online. The forum operated under the theme “Science Journalism at a Crossroads – Rethinking Trust, Funding, and Innovation.”

This year’s hybrid format brought together journalists, researchers, communicators, editors, and students from around the world, offering multilingual sessions (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Arabic) and a mix of in-person and virtual participation.

Tardaguila presented findings from DDIA’s large-scale study on Spanish-language cancer misinformation online. The research analyzed more than 27,000 posts across X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram in early 2025, revealing how false narratives gain traction, the tactics that drive engagement, and how these harmful messages spread across platforms.

The discussion highlighted how false narratives gain traction, the tactics that drive engagement, and how these harmful messages spread across platforms. Participants gained insights into how misleading health content affects Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities and explored strategies to promote access to accurate, life-saving information.

More information here: Science Journalism Forum 2025