The article discusses the evolution of internet trolling from a subcultural behavior to a business model used in information operations and military strategies. It highlights how governments and political entities have weaponized trolling to attack opponents and manipulate public opinion, citing examples like China's '50 Cent Army' and Russia's Internet Research Agency's interference in the US elections. The piece outlines tactics used by trolls, such as amplification through social media, hashtag hijacking, and emotional manipulation. It also provides a guide for investigative journalists on how to identify and analyze trolling campaigns, including the use of social listening tools, network analysis, and fact-checking resources. The article emphasizes the importance of ethical reporting and avoiding sensationalism when exposing trolls.

At least 15 fake pages have published over 130 ads on Meta, promoting a social bonus and targeting people outside the metropolitan region. These pages mimic the central government's logos, names, and colors, directing clicks to their messaging systems. Most pages were created recently, with some dating back to May and July. Due to their recent creation, the platform does not require them to register or show the administrators' locations, except for the oldest page, which has an administrator in Colombia. One page, named after a Guatemalan media outlet, lists the physical address of Colombia's presidential house and an email from Guatemala's vice presidency. These scam networks are common on platforms and are frequently dismantled, but in countries like Guatemala, this process can take longer. Some pages have been operating since May, publishing dozens of ads, with no way to determine how many people have been affected.

The article explores the evolution of Netcenters from early online forums to sophisticated digital manipulation tools used in political campaigns. It highlights various cases in Guatemala and Mexico, detailing how these centers operate, their impact on public perception, and the ethical concerns they raise. The text calls for legislative action and public awareness to combat these practices.

On July 1, 2023, reports surfaced that the Ministry of Defense of Guatemala suffered a critical ransomware attack, with 5.8Gb of data extracted. The Army spokesperson denied any link to military data, but specialized portals reported otherwise, attributing the attack to a hacker group named Cyclops. Recently, documents from the attack revealed that the Ministry of Defense considers media campaigns against the Guatemalan Army a national security threat, alongside drug trafficking and organized crime. The presentation included a list of journalists perceived as threats, including José Rubén Zamora, who is currently imprisoned, and Marvin Del Cid and Sonny Figueroa, who are in exile due to state persecution. The Ministry's lesson learned from the situation was that non-government-aligned individuals and organizations expressing discontent in the media is a result of the government's failure to enforce laws against them.

Neto Bran, the Mayor of Mixco, Guatemala, is one of the highest-paid mayors in the country and also monetizes content on his Facebook page. Despite his busy schedule, he manages multiple businesses and creates social media content with a team of 32 people. Investigations have raised concerns about his administration's transparency and the potential misuse of public funds for personal gain. The article questions the ethical implications of politicians monetizing social media content and calls for clearer rules and regulations.

The article discusses the impact of Instagram Stories on journalism and media organizations, particularly in Latin America. It highlights the rapid growth of Instagram Stories' user base since its launch by Mark Zuckerberg in 2016, surpassing Snapchat's daily active users. The article emphasizes the importance of content quality and regular posting for media organizations using Instagram. It provides insights into how Instagram Stories can be used effectively for photojournalism, feature stories, news summaries, breaking news, and special events. The article also notes that while Instagram Stories may not directly generate site traffic, they are valuable for brand recognition and storytelling. Examples of successful strategies and the potential for growth in the use of Instagram as a content distribution platform in Latin America are also discussed. The author, Luis Assardo, is a journalist and digital consultant with international experience.

The article discusses the overlooked issue of disinformation research in small countries, emphasizing the bias towards larger economies. It highlights the challenges faced by researchers in Central America, including lack of data, tools, and resources. The author criticizes social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for not providing adequate support and data access to researchers in these regions. The article also mentions the efforts of individuals like Erin Gallagher and organizations like First Draft in understanding disinformation in Central America. The overall sentiment towards the current state of disinformation research in small countries is critical, calling for more inclusive and supportive measures.

Clubhouse is a closed audio conversation platform that requires an iPhone and an invitation to join. It allows users to create clubs and schedule events in private rooms. The platform has raised privacy concerns due to its data collection practices. Notable figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Kanye West have participated in conversations on the platform. Users can start or join rooms, and the platform curates room options based on user preferences. It emphasizes trust and natural conversation by prohibiting recordings and ensuring participants are not anonymous.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered religious practices for Catholics, necessitating virtual participation in Mass and other sacraments. The article explores how the San Judas Tadeo Parish has adapted to these changes, with insights from parish priest Martín Berastegui and parishioners Orlando Falla and Maru Hurtarte. They discuss the challenges of maintaining community connections and the technical efforts to broadcast services online. The article also touches on the broader implications of these adaptations for the Catholic community.

Following Evo Morales's tweet on November 11, 2019, with the phrase 'Denuncio ante el mundo,' there was an organic emergence of the hashtag #BoliviaNoHayFraude. Shortly after, accounts with few or no followers began amplifying the hashtag #BoliviaNoHayGolpe, indicating a coordinated effort to shape a narrative. The article includes a thread of information published on Twitter and other related publications.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has gained attention and popularity on Twitter, using his account in an unconventional manner since taking office. A quantitative analysis, excluding qualitative content of tweets, measured the impact of Bukele's 'tweet-decrees.' Bukele, who opened his Twitter account in February 2009, has posted over 44,000 tweets, averaging about 12 tweets per day. Using tools like SocialBlade and Botometer, the analysis showed a significant follower increase, with over 90,000 new followers in just six days. The analysis also revealed Bukele's Twitter habits, such as exclusively tweeting from the iOS app and a high retweet ratio. Further analysis identified accounts frequently mentioning Bukele, with a notable group of accounts showing higher interaction levels, and the use of the hashtag #NayibBukele predominantly by media accounts.

The Confirmado team sought out the Proclamation Speeches of each candidate running for the presidency of Guatemala. Some candidates provided speeches with verifiable data, others included only opinions or unverifiable data, and some did not offer a speech at all. The published speeches will be updated daily until all proclaimed candidates are covered, listed in alphabetical order.

Researchers investigated the influence of socialbots in Guatemala, identifying a network of 47,000 accounts with over 5,000 socialbots. The study, conducted by Pablo Suárez-Serrato and Erin Gallagher, focused on the period from April 9-18, 2018, and November to January 2019. The findings revealed an amplification network targeting journalists and CICIG members, using a model called BoostNet to detect these socialbots.

Countries with significant vulnerability to disasters use mobile text message alerts to inform citizens. The United States' Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system, regulated by the FCC, sends geolocated messages about weather, presidential alerts, and AMBER alerts. Canada’s Alert Ready system includes a broader range of threats. New Zealand’s Emergency Mobile Alerts (EMA) and the Netherlands' NL Alert operate similarly. Australia’s Emergency Alert system notifies citizens of various risks. The UK is still testing its system. In Guatemala, despite widespread mobile phone usage, a similar system is lacking due to the absence of geolocation-based broadcasting and legal frameworks. The article calls for legislation and resource allocation to establish such a system in Guatemala.

The article discusses the aftermath of the Volcan de Fuego eruption in Guatemala and explores ways to prevent deaths in future volcanic eruptions. David Rothery, a vulcanologist and Professor at The Open University, provides insights on response times to lahars and pyroclastic flows, the role of local organizations like CONRED and INSIVUMEH, and the challenges of timely evacuations. Rothery emphasizes the importance of seismometers for early warning, the need for public awareness, and the difficulties in managing evacuations without causing distrust among the population. The article also touches on the need to revise procedures for disaster response, considering the rapid onset of volcanic eruptions and the balance between precautionary evacuations and the potential lack of subsequent eruptions.

Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the Americas, with 36 journalists killed since 2006. The article highlights the constant threats from organized crime, local authorities, and public officials, and criticizes the Guatemalan government's failure to implement promised protective measures for journalists. Despite commitments made in 2012, successive governments have not established effective protection programs, leaving journalists vulnerable to violence and intimidation. The article underscores the broader societal impact of restricted press freedom and the spread of misinformation.

Guatemalan troll factories, known locally as Netcenters, have evolved over the past decade from simple political propaganda tools to sophisticated operations capable of political interference, spreading fake news, and manipulating public opinion. Initially, these operations began in forums and newspaper comment sections, but they have since grown into well-funded organizations that employ tactics such as doxing to damage the reputations of journalists and political adversaries. The 2015 elections saw a significant rise in their activities, with troll factories being hired for character assassination and to influence public discourse. Notable cases include the cloning of a major newspaper's website to publish false articles and the use of social media to divert attention from political scandals. The article highlights the challenges posed by these entities to the integrity of information and the democratic process in Guatemala.

Luis Assardo explores the evolution of Netcenters, from their origins in online forums to their current role in manipulating public perception on social media. Initially linked to electoral processes, these practices have become a profitable business involving 'digital hitmen'. The article details various cases in Guatemala and Mexico where Netcenters were used to defend politicians, alter perceptions about candidates, and inflate social media presence. Assardo describes the transition from simple fake profiles to sophisticated operations that include real profiles, fake profiles, and bots, aiming to mimic and attack real social movements. The article calls for legislative action to regulate these potentially criminal activities and emphasizes the importance of public awareness and journalistic responsibility in countering such manipulative practices.

Sandra Torres and Alejandro Giammattei, two former presidential candidates, provided their critical assessments of Jimmy Morales' first year in office. Torres condemned the lack of progress on social issues and called for the president to wake up and address the nation's needs. Giammattei struggled to find positives, criticizing the government's lack of a coordinated plan and weak institutional strength. Both highlighted the importance of political accessibility, noting that other candidates, including Morales, were unresponsive.

José, a firefighter with 20 years of experience and recently appointed as the head of a rescue patrol, was looking forward to his first vacation in four years. However, his plans were interrupted by a hurricane emergency. Despite the difficult choice between family time and duty, José decided to join the rescue efforts. The story follows his experiences during the rescue mission, highlighting the challenges and emotional toll of disaster response. José's dedication to his profession and his family's support are emphasized throughout the narrative.