Fake news in Brazil – statistics & facts

Messaging apps and misinformation

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE, as abbreviated in Portuguese) signed deals with multiple tech brands to monitor and hinder the spread of fake news online. Facebook, Google, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube were among the first platforms to formally collaborate with the institution. The main concern, however, was messaging apps, where users can create private groups to propagate deceitful content far from public scrutiny. After months of seeking a cooperation deal, TSE finally managed to get Telegram on board in May 2022. The joint effort entails enabling users to flag suspicious messages and access information directly from the court's official channel. Most of the population seems to be on board too. Over 80 percent of Brazilians think social media platforms should delete fake content as soon as possible, according to a March 2022 survey. The same study also found that little more than half of the respondents agreed that messaging apps should be suspended if they disobey a court order – a sword of Damocles constantly hanging over the heads of WhatApp and Telegram in Brazil.

Legacy media's quest for credibility

News sources' pursuit of trustworthiness goes beyond the realm of social media, however. In March 2022, an average of 39 percent of Brazilians expressed trust in legacy media like TV, radio, and print newspapers – whereas Telegram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp did not surpass 19 percent. Other figures suggest that journalistic companies still have a long way to go to prove their commitment to facts. During a mid-2021 survey, almost four out of five interviewees said news organizations in Brazil try to cover up their mistakes instead of admitting their missteps. The same study showed that about two-thirds of respondents think it is important to double-check a story with multiple sources. Yet almost 30 percent said they could tell if a news outlet is credible based on how it looks, indicating that appearance also matters when it comes to projecting a reputable image.

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