Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Rio de Janeiro Law School, through its Center for Technology and Society (CTS), has just launched a guide called “The Superior Electoral Court and Disinformation: Key Concepts in Brazil and How to Understand Them,” aimed at explaining the Superior Electoral Court’s actions in this area to the Brazilian population. Relevant information is provided about the court’s measures to tackle disinformation, including key concepts and provisions in its resolutions.

The first volume, now available, explains some of the key concepts for understanding the Superior Electoral Court’s role in combating disinformation. The document contextualizes recurring and central concepts in resolutions issued by the Superior Electoral Court and Federal Supreme Court.

The second volume, to be published in September, will provide commentary on Superior Electoral Court resolutions that address the issue of disinformation, including clarifications in light of Brazilian law and international experience.

“There is a lot of misinformation circulating on social networks about the work of the Superior Electoral Court. In the current election period, this issue is gaining importance and intensifying. It is therefore crucial to understand the legal foundations in this area and the way in which some recurring concepts have been interpreted by Brazilian courts. In the next volume, we will comment on the most significant resolutions regarding digital platforms, comparing them with other legal systems that have introduced similar obligations,” says Nicolo Zingales, a professor at the FGV Rio de Janeiro Law School and coordinator of the school’s social platform governance research group.

Election advertising

It’s worth noting that recently, on August 16, the electoral advertising period began for candidates running for mayor, deputy mayor and councilor in Brazil’s 2024 municipal elections. The Superior Electoral Court is the highest body in the Brazilian electoral justice system, acting together with regional electoral courts to oversee election advertising.

The Superior Electoral Court also has the power to issue resolutions in order to guarantee uniformity in the application of electoral laws, making the voting process more secure and democratic. Some of these resolutions, particularly the most recent ones, have been criticized due to possible contradictions with Brazil’s Digital Bill of Rights and the Brazilian Federal Constitution.

To access the online guide, click here.