In this episode of The Great Battlefield podcast, Roberta Braga, founder and Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), discusses her professional journey and the mission behind DDIA. She shares insights on how the organization, run by and for Latinos, is working to strengthen democracy across the Americas by addressing digital threats, building resilience to disinformation, and fostering inclusive civic participation online.

This UN article highlights a conversation held during the Commission on the Status of Women, where activists and leaders from Spain and Latin America gathered to expose the growing threat of digital violence against women. The piece underscores the chilling real-world consequences of online harassment, particularly for women in politics and public life. Roberta Braga, founder of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), emphasized the urgency of “pre-bunking” or “inoculating” communities against online disinformation and misogynistic narratives.

Roberta Braga, Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), examines the growing demand among Latino voters for stricter AI regulation as the Trump administration pushes forward with massive private-sector investments in artificial intelligence. Based on DDIA/YouGov polling, over 68% of Latinos support stronger AI oversight, reflecting deep concerns about job displacement and economic impact. While AI offers promising advancements in medicine and productivity, Braga argues that innovation must not come at the expense of workers, urging the administration to prioritize responsible AI policies that protect communities while fostering growth.

As Lupa, Brazil’s first organization dedicated to combating disinformation, nears its 10th anniversary, founder Cristina Tardáguila reflects on the need for a reset in the fight against falsehoods. She critiques the overuse and dilution of terms like "fake news" and calls for innovation beyond traditional fact-checking and media literacy strategies. To remain effective in 2025, Tardáguila advocates for a cultural shift in the disinformation field, deeper research, audience engagement through polling, and the integration of behavioral science. By embracing these changes, the fight against disinformation can evolve and reclaim its impact.

WhatsApp remains a vital communication platform for U.S.-based Latinos, with 54% of Latino adults using the app in 2024, up from 46% in 2021. However, its widespread use has also made it a conduit for disinformation. Research by DDIA and Palver revealed over 3,200 misleading messages, primarily election-related, circulating in Latino-led public groups. Topics ranged from political misinformation about figures like Joe Biden to global events like the war in Gaza, often leveraging emotional language and sensational imagery. Despite challenges in content moderation due to WhatsApp’s encryption, researchers are spotlighting vulnerabilities in Spanish-language media and advocating for stronger fact-checking efforts.

Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. face unique vulnerabilities to election misinformation, often targeted with culturally specific falsehoods that exploit socio-political experiences. Platforms like WhatsApp, widely used by Latinos, struggle with content moderation, allowing misinformation to spread unchecked in private groups. False narratives, such as linking Democratic candidates to Latin American authoritarian figures, resonate with distinct communities and sow distrust in democratic processes. Combating this requires culturally informed, well-resourced efforts, including improved Spanish-language content moderation by social media platforms, partnerships with local Spanish-language media, and voter education initiatives tailored to the diverse Latino community.

Durante la Jornada Electoral llevada a cabo por Factchequeado el pasado 5 de noviembre, El Instituto Democracia Digital de las Américas (DDIA) compartió las principales desinformaciones en español en grupos latinos de WhatsApp durante las elecciones de EE.UU. de 2024. Estas incluyen: afirmaciones de fraude electoral en el condado de Cambria, Pennsylvania, debido a fallos en máquinas de votación; especulaciones de una victoria de Trump en Florida basadas en datos selectivos; y contenido extremista que ataca a Kamala Harris y busca crear divisiones mediante temas como Gaza, respaldado por medios iraníes.

In Episode 1 of the newly launched Cinco Preguntas con María Elena Salinas podcast, the renowned journalist speaks with Paola Ramos, author of "Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America," about critical issues around Latino identity, political power, and disinformation around the 2024 U.S. elections. Ramos references DDIA's recent polling on Latinos and disinformation.