The Superior Electoral Court has recognized Fundação Getulio Vargas’ contribution to its Program to Fight Disinformation, Focusing on the 2020 Elections. The Department of Public Policy Analysis (FGV DAPP) participated actively in this initiative.

“The Superior Electoral Court thanks FGV and its director of public policy analysis, Marco Aurélio Ruediger, for their valuable collaboration as part of the Program to Fight Disinformation, Focusing on the 2020 Elections, to combat and mitigate the negative effects of disinformation and guarantee that voters have access to truthful information about the electoral process, contributing to the conscious and full exercise of the right to vote,” says a letter sent by Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, the Superior Electoral Court’s president.

Before the first round of the municipal elections on November 15, FGV DAPP launched a study called Online Disinformation and Elections in Brazil: The Circulation of Links Casting Doubt on the Brazilian Electoral System on Facebook and YouTube (2014-2020). The study presented unparalleled data on the circulation of texts and videos on social networks featuring disinformation targeted at the electoral courts and elections in general, challenging the integrity of the process. It was launched as part of cooperation between FGV DAPP and the Superior Electoral Court, aimed at enhancing debate about disinformation in elections.

At the end of the municipal elections, following the second round of voting, FGV DAPP launched another study, called The Digital Ecosystem in the 2020 Municipal Elections in Brazil: The Buzz of Distrust in the Electoral System on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It looked at around 1.5 million posts, analyzing content flows and narrative thrusts fueling distrust in the Brazilian electoral system.

“Fundação Getulio Vargas, through FGV DAPP, an innovative body that analyzes the circulation of information and its impacts on social and economic dynamics, has expanded its leadership to support Brazilian institutions and democracy, once again pursuing its mission to support national development,” says Marco Aurélio Ruediger, FGV DAPP’s director.

The research by FGV DAPP about disinformation and elections is available here.

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