Ana Júlia Bernardi, Project Director at the Instituto Democracia em Xeque, was part of the group of experts who, in issue 11 of Revista Casa Comum, argued that the right to communication goes beyond simple access to electronic devices.

The report The Right to Communication is a Key Piece for Strengthening Democracy highlights that, although Brazil has high levels of internet connectivity, misinformation represents a significant risk. In this scenario, initiatives such as media education and legislative proposals seek to mitigate the impacts of this phenomenon.

Ana Júlia explains that, after the attacks on the Capitol in the United States in 2021, researchers from the Democracia em Xeque Institute began a project to monitor disinformation, extremism, and hate speech in Brazil. The reports produced were sent to courts, media outlets, and civil society organizations, contributing to debates on the regulation of social media and assisting the CPMI that investigated the attempted coup on January 8, 2023.

She emphasizes that the fight against disinformation must be ongoing, as its effects go beyond politics, also impacting public health. As an example, she cites the drop in vaccination rates and the spread of fake news during the municipal elections in São Paulo.

Read the full article on the website Common House Magazine.