Groups launch $22 million effort to battle disinformation targeting Latinos

A Latino advocacy group and media watchdog will invest $22 million in an effort to battle disinformation targeted at the Hispanic community.

Voto Latino and Media Matters for America on Thursday launched the Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab, with an aim to “combat mis- and disinformation that further polarizes and isolates Latinx voters.”

According to the groups it will be the largest investment in combatting disinformation in Latino communities to date, citing a surge in Spanish and English language misinformation on voter fraud and Covid-19.

“The right-wing sphere has spent years building a misinformation machine to target the Latinx community, which has resulted in a rising tide of disinformation. Despite how overwhelming it may seem, it is both possible and absolutely necessary to confront misinformation head on. This partnership will provide an essential check on that rising tide of disinformation,” Media Matters President Angelo Carusone said in a release.

The groups said a number of social media platforms were used to spread disinformation, disproportionately impacting Spanish-speaking audiences over the age of 40.

As part of the effort, Media Matters will expand its monitoring of Spanish-language media and online communities with a dedicated team to analyze and produce for use by Voto Latino, which will in turn identify and communicate with at-risk voters. 

The Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab will be chaired by Voto Latino co-founder María Teresa Kumar, Carusone and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez.