Vetores e Implicações da Desordem Informacional na América Latina mapeou elementos da dinâmica de disseminação e consumo de informação online, com foco em compreender os hábitos de usuários em plataformas digitais, suas percepções em relação a confiabilidade de fontes e informações, e suas perspectivas quanto às estratégias de combate à desinformação. Esta pesquisa, realizada em parceria com a Rede Conhecimento Social, é uma contribuição ao projeto “Resisting Information Disorder in the Global South: Identifying drivers, developing responses, evaluating strategies”, cuja etapa América Latina é coordenada pelo InternetLab.
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Aiming to understand the dynamics of information dissemination and consumption in Latin America, InternetLab, in partnership with the Rede Conhecimento Social (ReCoS), conducted the study “Vectors and Implications of Information Disorder in Latin America.” The research explores users’ relationships with digital platforms, their perceptions of the reliability of information sources, and strategies to counter misinformation.
The study is part of the project Resisting Information Disorder in the Global South, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and coordinated by Stellenbosch University, with partners in Asia, the MENA region, and Africa. InternetLab leads the Latin America research chapter.
The executive summary, which highlights the main findings, is accessible online. For now, the research report – offering detailed analyses by social class, education level, age, and territorial grouping- is available only in Portuguese.
The quantitative data collection involved over 6,000 responses from people across 19 Latin America countries. In addition, virtual workshops were held to support the qualitative analysis, along with meetings with an advisory board of Latin American experts in fields such as political communication, network studies, and digital rights.
To ensure robust interpretations of the data collected, the responses were divided into five territorial groupings: (i) Brazil; (ii) Southern Cone — comprising Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay; (iii) Andes/Amazon — comprising Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia; (iv) Central America — comprising the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, and Puerto Rico; and (v) Mexico.
The results point to widespread distrust, driven by the sheer volume of content and the difficulty of verifying the truthfulness of information. In response, users turn to their own trusted networks and “sources,” building personalized informational ecosystems. See below for other research highlights:
Platform usage
Meta’s platforms are the most widely used in Latin America, led by WhatsApp, followed by Facebook and Instagram. Google platforms — YouTube and its search engine — come next. Brazil and the Southern Cone stand out for their higher levels of YouTube use (83% and 82%, respectively), while Central America shows a preference for TikTok (71%).
Information consumption dynamics
In Latin America, the most used platforms for news consumption vary significantly among territorial groups. Google and Instagram dominate in Brazil, while Facebook prevails in the Andean/Amazon, Central American, and Mexican regions. Central America also stands out for its use of TikTok for this purpose.
Besides, information consumption in Latin America is multimedia and multiplatform: 7 out of 10 respondents use different media sources to stay informed, seeking additional information on websites, platforms, TV, or radio after first encountering it elsewhere.
Information sharing on platforms
Facebook is the platform where people most report sharing news across Latin America, though levels of usage vary considerably : it is lower in Brazil (31%) and higher in Mexico (69%). In Brazil, WhatsApp and Instagram are more commonly used for sharing news, while in Central America and the Andean/Amazon regions, TikTok plays a larger role in news sharing than in other territorial groupings.
Perceptions on how relevant topics are addressed
There is a general sense of distrust regarding the information circulating in the media. More than half of respondents believe that a large portion of the news is false — in Brazil, this perception is even stronger when it comes to election-related topics. This distrust stems from the idea that information can be distorted in multiple ways as it circulates,
Trusted sources
In general, professionals and experts are viewed as the most trustworthy sources on topics such as public safety, politics, and public health. Brazil stands out for showing higher levels of trust in close contacts — family and friends — and even in oneself: about 1.5 in every 10 respondents consider themselves reliable to speak about such topics.
Information consumption habits
Across Latin America, half of respondents prefer to get their news through online platforms, associating them with the speed and ease of access to information. Additionally, 7 out of 10 respondents see these platforms as tool for verifying the accuracy of information, and 8 out of 10 value their ability to access opinions absent from traditional media.
Trust in the media
Search engines are considered the most reliable media sources, with one-third of Latin American respondents saying they trust them for almost all topics. Next come traditional media — radio, print newspapers, and TV — with 25% saying they trust them for all topics. Still, some respondents express greater trust in digital media, believing it provides information not disclosed by major news outlets.
Verification strategies
Users value the ease of access to information that allows them to verify the truthfulness of content within its own context. The presence of fact-checking labels discourages people from sharing disinformative content: nearly two-thirds of respondents report not sharing content labeled as false by platforms. Additionally, comment sections on posts are also used as a verification mechanism.
Attitudes toward platform regulation
Four in ten people in Latin America support some type of platform regulation, though opinions vary according to political orientation. Among those on the left, support is greater — especially for regulation established by law. Among those on the right, opposition predominates, particularly to government-led regulation. Centrists are more divided: about half support some regulation, but resistance increases when the regulator is the government.