Misinformation Challenges Facing Spanish-Speaking Communities in the U.S.
Spanish-speaking populations within the United States encounter unique challenges regarding election misinformation, often exacerbated by inadequate moderation of Spanish-language content on social media platforms.
In the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, the Trump campaign was noted for a Spanish-language advertisement on YouTube that falsely suggested Nicolas Maduro’s political alignment supported Joe Biden. This ad ran over 100,000 times in Florida, a state with a significant Venezuelan demographic, attempting to link Biden with Latin-American authoritarian figures.
Such incidents highlight how misinformation in Spanish is tailored to resonate with cultural and socio-political contexts specific to Latino communities. Effective strategies to counteract these falsehoods necessitate well-funded, culturally informed initiatives.
Misinformation in Spanish may sometimes mirror English-language falsehoods, like the incorrect assertion that Kamala Harris is ineligible to be president due to her parents being foreign-born. However, narratives targeting particular groups with distinct geographic relevance, such as portraying Democratic candidates as communists, have gained traction among Spanish-speaking Americans, especially those with experiences of authoritarian regimes.
This misinformation contributes to a broader decline in trust regarding the security and integrity of U.S. elections. Among Latino Americans, false claims about noncitizen voting and election fraud in states like Arizona and Nevada exploit deep-seated fears, amplified by the differences between U.S. and Latin American political systems.
Data from a 2024 poll by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas reveals that 40 percent of Latin Americans in the U.S. believe in the notion of Democratic election fraud. Furthermore, 34 percent endorsed the “Big Lie” of a rigged 2020 election, with 41 percent accepting the claim that Democrats are promoting undocumented immigrants to vote.
Addressing these narratives is complicated by misconceptions about the Latino community’s uniformity. Originating from various countries with diverse political landscapes, these groups are susceptible to misinformation exploiting their distinct backgrounds. The 2020 rumors connecting Biden with Maduro’s political party exemplify this vulnerability.
Another significant issue is the inadequate moderation on encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp. With more than half of Hispanic adults in the U.S. using WhatsApp for news and social interactions, false narratives can spread unchecked within private chats before being verified.
Local election offices, often lacking Spanish-speaking staff, bear the primary responsibility for combating election-related disinformation. Collaborations with local Spanish-language media outlets like Arizona’s Radio Campesina can help bridge this gap by effectively educating voters. English-language media is also exploring innovative ways to connect with Spanish-speaking audiences, such as New Hampshire Public Radio’s “Que Hay De Nuevo?” initiative.
Social media companies need to enhance their efforts to curb misinformation in these communities. Despite Meta’s claims of improving Spanish-language moderation and increased investment since 2021, the company has faced criticism for relying too heavily on nonprofit organizations to identify and analyze Spanish misinformation.
To tackle misinformation effectively, companies like Meta and WhatsApp should hire more Spanish-speaking moderators from diverse regions, train them on Latin American cultural nuances, and develop region-specific misinformation databases. WhatsApp, in particular, could use its official account to distribute verified information and educational content in Spanish, navigating encryption limitations to reach users.
As the Spanish-speaking voting population grows, implementing culturally and linguistically sensitive measures becomes crucial in combating misinformation and preserving democratic processes.
