Addressing Information Cycles between US Latinos and Latin America is Imperative in the Fight for Healthier Digital Democracies in the Americas

Roberta Braga is the Founder and Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) Shutterstock Many Latinos feel like guests in the United States, sometimes even after living in the country for generations. My parents—dual citizens, residing in a small town of 8,000 people in Wisconsin for over 25 years—certainly do. Equis polling research confirms they are not alone.  Latinos are not monolithic—our communities are diverse in values, experiences, perspectives, how we prioritize issues, and most importantly, how we engage with democracy. Some Latinos are citizens by birth, some by naturalization. Some Latinos are English-dominant, some Spanish-dominant, and many more are bilingual or multilingual. Most have very strong ties to Latin America, keeping in touch daily with family and friends, and with news and information there, through YouTube and WhatsApp. No matter our backgrounds, Latinos are some of the most digitally engaged groups in the world. More importantly, both online and offline, Latinos are a powerhouse for democracy. Crafting a resilient, trustworthy information ecosystem for Latinos is a collective responsibility—one that involves researchers, policymakers, and community members. In an era overwhelmed by information disorder that translates to offline actions in ways we have yet to be able to effectively measure, we cannot underestimate the power of fact-based narratives to shape not just elections, but the very fabric of democracy itself.  In 2024, Latinos will play an outsized role in shaping the trajectory of the United States in the races for President and Congress. Latinos make up about…Addressing Information Cycles between US Latinos and Latin America is Imperative in the Fight for Healthier Digital Democracies in the Americas