2026 Priorities

NHMC

2026

Priorities

In 2026, we are facing a heightened attack on the Latino community. Our very existence is being criminalized; our culture is being dehumanized to justify an abandonment of the Constitution.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is an organization with a long track record of standing firm in the face of opposition — and we do not waver when our community is on the line. Over the last 40 years, we have consistently shown that when our community is targeted, we respond with strategy, unity, and resolve. This year will be no different.

Our 2026 focus is on Reclaiming Our Democracy through Human Dignity. Our organizing and policy work is built on a foundation of connection, authenticity, and justice. Leading with respect, visibility, and humanity is how we repair what’s been fractured and honor the generations who built this nation’s promise, brick by brick.

This country is ours as the United States public, and together we will reinvigorate a democracy that serves us all.

Pillars Overview

In 2026, NHMC will prioritize work guided by the following pillars:

Protecting Human Rights

Protecting Human Rights has anchored NHMC’s work from the beginning. We are committed to prioritizing what is right and just in the face of humanity – not just what is trendy or convenient. We believe in the equal and fair treatment of individuals, but also in protecting those who have been denied the opportunity to protect themselves.

In 2025, human rights and dignity were blatantly ignored and NHMC responded. In response to the ICE raids and heightened violence towards immigrants, NHMC released the Empower Yourself: Know Your Rights Guide. We became heavily involved in grassroots organizing in California to ensure that neighborhoods were prepared. NHMC led and participated in numerous coalitions to amplify representation in different influential industries, including the Latino Representation in Publishing Coalition, the Latino Representation in Gaming Coalition, the Demand Diversity Roundtable, Defend the Press Campaign, community leadership for representation in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, and Latino Representation in AI Initiatives.

NHMC upholds and advocates for human rights by championing effective policies and focusing on human dignity. Through authentic storytelling, NHMC seeks to drive meaningful narrative change that accurately reflects the importance, resilience, and beauty of historically and intentionally marginalized communities.

As we move through 2026, human rights will continue to serve as the anchor of our mission, guiding our initiatives, our partnerships, and every action we take. We remain committed to challenging systems that contribute to inequity, ensuring that communities have the opportunity to thrive.

NHMC Aims to Protect Human Rights in 2026 by:

Creating and fostering initiatives that focus on reducing the harms toward historically and intentionally marginalized communities
Opposing efforts to reduce, weaken, cut, or abolish civil rights via legislation, policy, regulation, or industry practice
Providing real-time resources for victims of targeting and kidnapping by ICE in Whittier and other Los Angeles County areas
Holding government bodies and private companies accountable for their attacks on the humanity of our community, including through the erosion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility practices

It’s clear that our American economy is currently being driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). And while technological advances can have positive impacts for communities like ours, NHMC is highly concerned with an escalating pattern of prioritizing innovation-driven profit over consumer safety by tech companies. Reckless attitudes racing for the next “big thing” are shaping the AI-landscape, and society is arriving at a crucial turning point that will determine how AI shapes our futures. NHMC monitored proposed government policies and supported bills like the AI Civil Rights Act that would place necessary guardrails on tech companies, prioritizing consumer safety. In response to harmful policies, such as the AI moratorium, NHMC partnered with several organizations to warn and advise representatives of the various dangers.

Preventing AI-Driven Harm

In particular, NHMC is committed to protecting children and minors from unregulated chatbots and other technologies, and giving a voice to those who systematically lack access to AI skills, devices, and benefits. NHMC will continue to be a strong and unwavering voice for minors, ensuring that these companies are held accountable for the products they create and the impacts they unleash.

Through advocacy, research, and coalition-building, NHMC will demand responsible AI practices that center the safety and dignity of Americans, as well as the future of young people.

NHMC Will Prevent AI-Driven Harm in 2026 by:

Working with allies and stakeholders to hold OpenAI accountable for its misuse of nonprofit structures and ensure oversight actions are taken in the best interests of Californians.
Demanding civil and human rights guardrails on any and all AI-driven technologies being developed or deployed by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to track, kidnap, and murder people in the streets.
Holding AI developers accountable for disregarding safety protocols and abandoning ethical safeguards for products that interact with children and teens, including the ongoing sexualization and self-harm coaching of chatbot conversations.
Ensuring that necessary safeguards are implemented to limit the role of AI systems in human life.
Reiterating the need for proper infrastructure for Latinos’ and other marginalized communities' participation in AI by way of broadband adoption and digital skills training.
Monitoring the role data centers play in our local communities, and holding tech companies accountable for their job creation and community benefit promises.

Continuing Our Information Education Movement

In 2025, NHMC launched our Information Education Movement, striving to empower communities by providing them with reliable, factual, and accurate information they can trust in. An educated public is instrumental in creating real, generational change, and we believe that meaningful progress begins with access to truth and understanding.

For years, NHMC has led the Spanish Language Disinformation Coalition, which is dedicated to combating information fraud across a spectrum of topics, ranging from health to climate disinformation. Our information guides focus on identifying and countering information fraud, understanding harmful media stereotypes, and reinforcing the fundamental rights of the public to seek, receive, and share information. Through these resources, we aim not only to inform, but also to strengthen civic engagement.

In 2026, NHMC will continue to equip people with the knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly biased news cycle, mis and disinformation campaigns, and the diversion of the truth.

NHMC Will Prevent AI-Driven Harm in 2026 by:

Providing reliable, truthful information to our audiences by way of the Information Fraud Guide and other programmatic avenues.
Encouraging our communities to engage in meaningful conversations about media bias, news literacy, consolidation, and political influence in broadcasting and streaming.
Partnering with advocacy organizations, community leaders, and industry to provide education about the Latino community.

2025 was the year of defending the United States democracy at NHMC. Vulnerable and under attack, NHMC responded to strategic assaults with targeted actions, intentional advocacy, and strong coalition building. In moments of uncertainty, we chose to meet the challenges by uniting partners, uplifting community voices, and confronting the forces that threatened our fundamental freedoms. We demonstrated a long-term commitment to safeguarding democratic values for future generations.

We intend to continue these efforts and protect our democracy with the same passion and determination in 2026. Whether it is through the Defend the Press Campaign, which upholds the essential role of a free and independent media, or the Demand Diversity Roundtable, which pushes for greater inclusion and representation, NHMC has been steadfast in safeguarding democracy. 

Safeguarding our Democracy

Because of the ongoing dismantling of our country’s values, due processes, and independence, NHMC intends to take real, tangible steps to reimagine a democracy that works and protects all.

In 2026, NHMC Will Safeguard our Democracy by:

Committing to speaking out courageously when injustice arises, advocating for fairness, accountability, and equal treatment in all areas of society.
Defending the Press’ freedom and independence from government influence and control.
Working with Civil Rights organizations to build unity among our different communities, and stand as allies with those fighting for their freedom and safety.
When we center human dignity, we strengthen the checks and balances that protect our rights — and make sure more communities can fully participate. When we center human dignity, we make our institutions stronger and our communities safer. Reclaiming democracy means protecting the rules that keep power in check and ensuring the promise of this country is real for more than just a few. That is the responsibility we carry forward.
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We educate and increase Latino visibility from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we connect, collaborate, and create with talent within the entertainment industry.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law
© 2026 National Hispanic Media Coalition // communications@nhmc.org // o. (626) 792-6462
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