Julia Stoll
Research expert covering TV and video media
Fake news in Brazil - statistics & facts
Terms like disinformation, misinformation, post-truth, and, of course, fake news quickly became part of Brazilians' day-to-day lexicon. From evidence-lacking accusations of electoral fraud to the myth of a lost city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, inaccurate or fabricated stories continue to challenge a common sense of reality. This environment turns into both victim and offender as the South American country prepares to hold the 2022 general elections. Voters will choose – on the same day – their state deputies and governors, federal deputies and senators for the National Congress, and president. With so much at stake, citizens worry not only about who will win or lose but even more so about the political system's stability altogether. As of September 2021, more than three out of four people thought the spread of fake news on politicians and the Supreme Court threatened democracy in Brazil. Meanwhile, because the number of internet users keeps increasing and more than half turn to social media to read the news, institutions are trying to eradicate falsehoods online.
