Student Testimonial

Written By Sunaina Kathpalia

January 23, 2025

Dear Donor,

My name is Daniel Cárdenas, I’m a student at Georgetown University studying Data Science for Public Policy. I’m reaching out because I’m concerned about the health of Latin America democracies, specifically in the matter of identifying fake news and disinformation campaigns.

Civil society’s role in checking the people in power needs to be reinforced in a world with AI. Regulation about this matter is coming to the region, mainly focused on improving the productivity of businesses, assuring data privacy and preventing environmental impacts. However, there is one point that regulation is not going to be focused and that requires the action of civil society: identify fake news and disinformation campaigns.

It is easy to see that political campaigns are already using AI to help polarize and divide the electorate[1]. Moreover, the recent decision made by Meta to stop funding the fact checker network that it had built (initially in the United States, but it seems likely that it is extended to the rest of the world) remember the hard time that journalists have when they try to help people differentiate between real and fake content. Even when it does not yet affect the region, fact-checkers should have more resources and not depend on the willingness of a social media platform.

Politicians have become one of the main disseminators of fake content[2], which makes it unlikely that they will include AI regulation that provide checks and balances to their communications. Also, their incentives are set on propagating their political groups and emotions are a powerful mobilizer, then, sharing something fake or inaccurate that makes people see or go closer to their point of view is an advantage very difficult to ignore. That is why we need journalists, fact checkers and civil society organizations.

The problem is not just that politicians share fake news, it is also that their groups create coordinated attacks against rivals and journalists. In Colombia, Linterna Verde (a civil society organization that works to strengthen civil society action in the public debate) and the FLIP (an organization that advocates for freedom of press) found that there are systematic and coordinated attacks against journalist and media outlets in the country. This case shows the need for more journalism and civil society advocates that denounce power abuses and help in creating more sceptic audiences.

That’s where your support comes in. By supporting organizations that are tackling these issues, you’re helping build a future where digital spaces are used for democratic debate and not just a sea of attacks and false information.

Here is a list of fact-checkers and organizations that you can support:

Chequeado (Argentina)

  • Argentina's first and most prominent fact-checking organization, founded in 2010

  • Known for pioneering automated fact-checking tools and educational programs

  • Collaborates with major news organizations across Latin America

Agência Lupa (Brazil)

  • Brazil's first fact-checking agency, established in 2015

  • Partners with Facebook's Third-Party Fact-Checking Program

  • Provides fact-checking training for journalists and students

Colombia Check (Colombia)

  • Part of Consejo de Redacción, a Colombian journalists' organization

  • Focuses on political claims and public discourse

  •  Runs educational programs to promote digital literacy

La Silla Vacía (Colombia)

  • Known for rigorous political fact-checking and power structure analysis

  • Maintains "Detector de Mentiras" (Lie Detector) section

FLIP (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa - Colombia)

  • Monitors press freedom and verifies attacks on journalists

  • Runs fact-checking initiatives to combat disinformation

  • Protects journalists legally and by publishing their work anonymously.

El Sabueso (Mexico)

  • Operated by Animal Político, an independent news outlet

  • Known for fact-checking political statements and public policy claims

  • Uses a detailed rating system to evaluate claims

Verificado.uy (Uruguay)

  • Collaborative project involving multiple media organizations

  • Focuses on combating misinformation during electoral periods

  • Known for innovative use of social media in fact-checking

Salud con Lupa (Peru)

  • Specializes in health-related fact-checking across Latin America

  • Particularly active during the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Collaborates with healthcare professionals and scientists

Armando.info (Venezuela)

  • Investigative journalism platform with fact-checking division

  • Focuses on corruption and governmental claims

  • Persecuted by the Maduro regime

Having access to reliable information is one of the keystones of democratic debate.  

Your contribution helps keep democracy thriving in Latin America.

 

Sincerely,

Daniel Cárdenas

Student, McCourt School of Public Policy

Georgetown University

[1] A couple of examples are an AI created video of Trump recognizing Venezuela’s dictator Maduro as legitimate president and the false death of former Uruguayan president Pepe Mujica

[2] Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, has shared fake news many times in his thousands of tweets.

Sunaina Kathpalia
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