Truth in the age of digital deception: Brazil's battle against online disinformation

Disinformation is a global problem that has affected citizens' trust in institutions and democracy itself, having been discussed as a priority on both international and national levels. Brazil, in particular, has experienced this problem acutely, with a wave of disinformation contributing to the radicalization of antidemocratic and far-right groups. In recent years, the country has faced significant challenges related to institutional disinformation. Beyond the political and electoral spheres, the nation has grappled with disinformation surrounding vaccines, the pandemic, and other crucial topics. The spread of false information has not only threatened the democratic fabric of the country but also posed risks to public health, trust in institutions, and safety. As the country becomes increasingly connected, the urgency to address these challenges grows.

Under Lula's Presidency, the Brazilian government has taken proactive steps to combat online disinformation. But what strategies have been employed? How effective have they been? What is the role of regulation in the digital realm? And what challenges lie ahead?

Join us on November 9th, 2023, from 19:00 to 21:00 at salle du Conseil in Sciences Po, as we discuss these questions with João Brant, the  Secretary of Digital Policies at SECOM/Presidency of the Republic of Brazil, and Jamila Venturini, co-Executive Director at Derechos Digitales, a Latin American non-profit working on the intersection of human rights and digital technologies.

About the participants:

• João Brant (Guest Speaker): Secretary of Digital Policies at SECOM/Presidency of the Republic of Brazil. João holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of São Paulo and a master's in Regulation and Communication Policies from the London School of Economics.
• Jamila Venturini (Discussant): co-Executive Director of Derechos Digitales, a Latin American-based non-profit organization which defends and promotes human rights in digital environments since 2005. Jamila is a journalist and researcher in social sciences with a Masters Degree from FLACSO Argentina. She is the author of books and papers on technology and human rights; and a board member of the Latin American Network of Surveillance, Technology and Society Studies (Lavits).
• Lucas Anjos (Moderator): Postdoctoral researcher for the "The New Digital Rule of Law" project at Sciences Po Law School, Paris. He is also a Law Professor at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, in Brazil.

Join us for a highly relevant discussion on Brazil's efforts to counteract the digital age's disinformation challenges! All participants are welcomed, but it is necessary to register online to attend the colloquium. Deadline for registration: November 8th, 2023.