"These book’s articles are the result of the First Conference on Digital Literacy, Citizenship and Disinformation in Times of Pandemic, jointly organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo, Uruguay, and the Public Defender’s Office of Audience Rights. Five thousand people participated i
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n the event, either following the live streaming or visualising the recordings afterwards [...] The main purpose of the meeting was to bring together researchers, academics, public policy managers, community and private organizations, to share experiences and knowledge on Media and Information Literacy (MIL); to synthesise experiences on MIL development, disinformation and hate speech in pandemics; to systematise the effects of the pandemic on the education system with different actors involved and to prepare proposals for the development of future public policies. Among other results, this meeting led to this book, which we are now pleased to introduce. As a result of this Conference, the Public Defender's Office also carried out a survey with elementary and high school teachers from all over the country, as part of a supporting plan about communication in conventional media and digital platforms. This survey confirmed that a very high proportion of the respondents state they need training on this subject for their work. When confronted with the question “Do you think you need more training in Communication Media and Technologies?” 88.3% of the participants answered affirmatively, and only 11.7% said “no”, according to preliminary results." (Introduction, page 19-20)
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"This article applies the concept of cult TV to Brazilian telenovelas. The term cult TV is used to refer to products that were perceived to be different from mainstream popular culture. However, theoretical contexts have started to embrace the notion of a mainstream cult. With the concept of a mains
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tream cult in mind, I will argue that some telenovelas are responsible for occasioning a ritual which forms a national community, and could thus be considered cult for three main reasons: they can acquire nostalgic appeal; they can present aesthetic innovation even within a classic format; and they sometimes engender a type of audience engagement that stands out from other productions. This third reason will be addressed closely from the perspective of the audience, arguing that their opinion on what is a cult should be considered in relation to the academic debate around the concept. Amongst the main results, I highlight the identification of telenovelas as popular productions that may be considered cult TV, and the growing importance of common sense understandings for our consideration of concepts in the field of Communications." (Abstract)
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"The spread of disinformation has been a topic of heightened concern, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the response to a public health crisis relies on the ability for public officials to inform citizens. Using a representative two-wave panel of internet users in Brazil, we examine the
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relationship between pathways to information, WhatsApp use, and the persistence of misinformed beliefs about the pandemic. We find a strong relationship between presidential support, right-wing news sources, and participating in WhatsApp groups with strangers, and becoming more misinformed over time. Conversely, most media diets (traditional news media, social media and WhatsApp for news) had no effect. However, Bolsonaro supporters, using WhatsApp and Facebook for news was strongly associated with increasing and persistent misinformation. Our findings provide further evidence that political leaders undermine a country’s ability to respond to a pandemic insofar as they breed mistrust in other institutions by instrumentalizing public health measures to win political fights." (Abstract)
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"This article analyses the Brazilian PL 2630, so-called “fake news bill,” according to platform regulation approaches focused on speech, data, and market power. This law project was introduced in 2020 with the objective to fight disinformation campaigns in digital platforms such as social media
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and messaging services. After a multistakeholder debate, the latest version of the bill before the 2022 general elections was presented in the Chamber of Deputies. This article argues that the bill takes different stances with regard to those three basic elements. The bill strongly draws on the dimension of speech, establishing requirements for transparency in content moderation following the highest international standards. On data and market power, however, the bill makes no significant progress, with little contribution, for example, to tackling the surveillance-based business model. This way, it does not touch on structural conditions that shape disinformation campaigns, such as the profit motive of digital platforms. It follows a general pattern of platform regulation, leaving structural features untouched and, this way, eventually undermining stronger efforts against online disinformation." (Abstract)
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"Covid Conspiracy Theories in Global Perspective examines how conspiracy theories and related forms of misinformation and disinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic have circulated widely around the world. Covid conspiracy theories have attracted considerable attention from researchers, journalists,
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and politicians, not least because conspiracy beliefs have the potential to negatively affect adherence to public health measures. While most of this focus has been on the United States and Western Europe, this collection provides a unique global perspective on the emergence and development of conspiracy theories through a series of case studies. The chapters have been commissioned by recognized experts on area studies and conspiracy theories. The chapters present case studies on how Covid conspiracism has played out (some focused on a single country, others on regions), using a range of methods from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including history, politics, sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Collectively, the authors reveal that, although there are many narratives that have spread virally, they have been adapted for different uses and take on different meanings in local contexts." (Publisher description)
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"El afrofuturismo se propone como clave de lectura para señalar Contos dos Orixás, de Hugo Canuto como expresión decolonial. La publicación asimila un elemento cultural – el estilo del dibujante de cómics Jack Kirby – para dibujar la mitología de los orixás en una perspectiva brasileña d
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e la cultura Yorùbá. La metodología aplica el “cruzo” de Simas y Rufino para articular Afrofuturismo, Diseño y Estudios Culturales en un análisis que aborda el conocimiento desde lo que Grosfoguel entiende como el lado subalternizado de la diferencia colonial. Se concluye que la iconografía Yorùbá fue actualizada en el cruzo con el diseño futurista de Kirby a partir de elementos afrobrasileños." (Resumo)
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"Dezessete emissoras de rádio comunitárias localizadas em 15 cidades pequenas no entorno de Imperatriz, a segunda cidade mais populosa do estado do Maranhão, são o objeto desta análise. As rádios comunitárias predominam na região Nordeste e, em muitos casos, são a única referência de míd
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ia para a comunidade, o que dá a dimensão dos efeitos da sua proximidade e influência. A maioria das emissoras analisadas está localizada em regiões com densidade demográfica inferior a 50 habitantes por quilômetro quadrado, apresenta Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM) Baixo ou Médio e tem menos de 30 anos. Nesse cenário, os laços políticos, as ligações religiosas, o baixo orçamento e a falta de uma produção verdadeiramente local são os elementos estruturais que fundamentam este artigo." (Resumo)
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"O artigo analisa os impactos da plataformização na criação de redes de divulgação coletiva de podcasts no Brasil, formadas por grupos tradicionalmente subalternizados como mulheres, comunidade LGBTQIAP+, população negra, entre outros. A partir de entrevistas, os dados demonstram que a luta
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contra a invisibilidade nas plataformas digitais de áudio permite o encontro e a troca de experiências entre os participantes, um enfrentamento à desigualdade e a colaboração mútua dos grupos na defesa de direitos, além de sustentar o apoio do cenário de rádio expandido para a emergência de novos atores e novas tensões sociais por meio do podcasting." (Resumo)
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"O objetivo deste texto é realizar apontamentos sobre a (não) participação de mulheres negras no rádio. Através do método de pesquisa dedutivo, e do uso da técnica de pesquisa documental e bibliográfica, a partir de diferentes procedimentos de codificação teórica (FLICK, 2009) para anál
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ise dos dados encontrados, iremos tratar a lacuna nos estudos de rádio sobre a presença, ou não de mulheres negras em diferentes instâncias da produção, consumo e/ou recepção. Os resultados mostram que as lacunas históricas associadas ao racismo reforçam a invisibilização de vínculos sociais e contratos de leitura em relação entre a mulher negra e o rádio brasileiro, sobretudo o meio comercial." (Resumo)
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"O artigo é um relato de experiência da rádio universitária brasileira Paulo Freire, que em 2023 completa 60 anos, analisando como ela se reconfigurou, reinventando suas rotinas profissionais, formatos e modos de circulação, para enfrentar a desinformação sobre a Covid-19. A emissora AM tran
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sbordou para as mídias sociais, convocou a audiência para compartilhar seus conteúdos, apostou em diferentes formatos e uniu forças com diversos grupos na luta contra a desinformação. O artigo também é um resgate histórico para que experiências como essa não se percam nas reflexões sobre o rádio, que se reconfigura, mantendo-se vivo e cada vez mais firme." (Resumo)
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"Under the government of Rafael Correa, punitive measures were used systematically against the privately-owned press, and there were even emblematic prosecution cases that were later dealt with by international courts such as the El Universo case. However, Fundamedios and Fundación Periodistas Sin
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Cadenas continue to report that, even with Correa out of power, the Ecuadorian State continues to be journalists’ main aggressor. Therefore, it is vital to keep asking questions and not let the debate die with Correa out of power. Correa’s Communication Law, which went through profound modifications, showcases Ecuador’s political black-or-white thinking. The law was indeed used against journalists and the media, but when it was dismantled, it led to a problematic dichotomy between having more state or more self-regulated media. The latter eventually gained ground in the first year of Guillermo Lasso’s government. Also, other issues such as affirmative measures for community-led media, the role of public media, the distribution of frequencies of the radio electric spectrum, the broadcasting of intercultural content, all of which are needed to address communications as a whole, have been overshadowed." (Analysis and conclusion, page 19)
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"With the crackdown on radio, TV, and newspapers since 2007, the Venezuelan population is largely dependent on digital spaces: social media is generally the main source of information across the country, and digital media has taken over other types of press and completely changed the media ecosystem
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in Venezuela. However, digital authoritarianism has rapidly advanced in the country since 2014, with Maduro’s arrival in power. Within Venezuela’s political and economic crisis, complex humanitarian emergency, and polarised context, digital authoritarianism is used to crack down on dissident voices and control freedom of expression, press, and opinion. Strategies behind digital authoritarianism in Venezuela range from internet blocking against digital media, censorship, the detention of people who use social media to express themselves against Maduro’s government, electrical outages that hinder internet access, surveillance of private communications without legal justification, electoral manipulation through technology, and misinformation and disinformation campaigns, to inorganic promotion through paid social media users. Venezuela’s opposition parties also take part in misinformation and export digital propaganda to countries like El Salvador." (Analysis and conclusion)
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"Para el trabajo en la escuela, la Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional (AMI) propone la incorporación de los medios tradicionales y digitales en el aula, que promuevan la generación de experiencias educativas reflexivas y críticas y la creación de medios, de manera responsable y ética. E
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n tal sentido, este documento diagnóstico presenta el proceso desarrollado en el contexto peruano y los énfasis de trabajo desde el Estado y la sociedad civil para promover la AMI. Asimismo expone las comprensiones e intereses de docentes frente a la propuesta de la AMI en su quehacer educativo. Este diagnóstico muestra la visión de diversos actores educativos que permiten identificar las posibilidades de inclusión de la AMI en la agenda pública educativa peruana; sobre todo para el fortalecimiento de las capacidades de docentes, el desarrollo de una base común teórica y metodológica, una intervención educativa contextualizada y con enfoque intercultural. El presente diagnóstico contiene el planteamiento de la metodología, antecedentes de la AMI, los hallazgos de la investigación, los desafíos planteados desde los actores entrevistados y las conclusiones del diagnóstico. Además se ha incluido una propuesta de agenda pública con temas que posibiliten un debate amplio sobre la pertinencia de la AMI en un mundo mediatizado y globalizado." (Introducción)
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"El estudio ha permitido identificar que la mayoría de los medios comunitarios trabajan en condiciones muy precarias, debido entre otras cosas al contexto de extrema pobreza y aislamiento de las zonas donde operan, lo cual genera falta de ingresos (por publicidad, avisaje) y con pocas condiciones d
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e sostenibilidad económica. Asimismo, que varios de los medios comunitarios no vienen funcionando actualmente. De un total de 35 titulares de medios entrevistados para el presente estudio, solo la mitad de los medios comunitarios trabajan con relativa normalidad, mientras que la otra mitad no sale al aire o funciona parcialmente por horas. Se ha podido constatar también que algunos de los compromisos establecidos en el Proyecto de Comunicación son cumplidos parcialmente por los medios comunitarios y otros no se cumplen (como el hecho de que el responsable del Proyecto de Comunicación o de la Programación del medio comunitario sea un profesional de la comunicación o el periodismo con experiencia). Se observa también que la gran mayoría de los titulares de medios comunitarios entrevistados no son comunicadores ni periodistas de profesión, sino que provienen de otros campos profesionales y en algunos casos han realizado estudios técnicos (ej. locución, manejo de equipos de estudio o cabina), lo que es una limitación para la gestión de un medio de comunicación. Asimismo, en la mayoría de los medios comunitarios participan entre una y dos personas, lo que habla de la debilidad institucional de estos equipos." (Resumen ejecutivo)
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"This book explores how television in the global South is 'future-proofing' its continued relevance, addressing its commercial, social and political viability in a constantly changing information ecosystem. The chapter contributions in the book are drawn from countries in East, South and West Africa
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, the Middle East and Latin America, specially selected for their illustrative potential of the key issues addressed in the book. Scholarly attention on television in the global South has largely been limited to studying evolving television formats with broader structural issues covered almost entirely by industry reports. Major gaps remain in terms of understanding how television in the global South is changing within the context of the significant technological developments and what this means for television's future(s). The chapters reflect on these futures, not in the sense of predicting what these might be, but rather anticipating important areas of intellection. The contributors contend that much of the scholarship on the global South, by scholars from the South, is often stilted by a reluctance to anticipate. This failure leads to a largely reactionary scholarship, constantly oppositional, and unable to recentre conversations on the South. This volume finds intellectual incentive in this urgent need to anticipate, hence its particular focus on television futures." (Publisher description)
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"Trust is the foundation on which democracy is built. Not coincidentally, it is the main victim of attacks by disinformation merchants bent on undermining the electoral process and the democratic environment. This article outlines the efforts of the Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to tackle
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the effects of ‘information disorder’ on its democratic process, discussing its partnerships with digitalplatforms and civil society to guarantee transparency and to build trust and integrity in electoral processes in Brazil. The TSE aims to increase the electorate’s access to information and its resilience to disinformation, as well as build official mechanisms to respond to these threats. Related decisions issued by the court will also be analysed. The article demonstrates how these initiatives have helped the TSE to reduce disinformation in the electoral information ecosystem and enabled a more informed exercise of the right to vote." (Abstract)
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"The book [...] examines the dedicated policies targeting the SDGs, as well as political and institutional drivers of synergies and trade-offs between the SDGs in selected key areas – both cross-nationally and in specific country contexts. Their analysis moves beyond the focus on links between SDG
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indicators and targets. Instead, the book takes advantage of recent evidence from the initial implementation phase of the SDGs and each chapter explores the question of which political-institutional prerequisites, governance mechanisms and policy instruments are suited to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. The findings presented are intended to both inform high-level policy debates and to provide orientation for practitioners working on development cooperation." (Publisher description)
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"Holding the greatest area of rainforest in the world, Brazil has seen the adoption of a far-right anti-environmental agenda under the administration of Jair Bolsonaro. This agenda was backed by a transnational infrastructure of right-wing media outlets on online platforms, including the conservativ
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e YouTube channel Brasil Paralelo. Our research attempted to understand how environmental conspiracies in Brasil Paralelo’s documentary Cortina de Fumaça (in English, smokescreen) took advantage of both digital platform affordances and political alignment with the far-right government to gain social adherence and relevance. By carrying out topic modeling on more than 13,000 comments and network analysis of 982 recommended videos on YouTube, we aimed to analyze the following: (1) which narratives fostered in the documentary have reverberated among the audience that published comments on its YouTube page and (2) what type of video does YouTube recommend for users who watched Cortina de Fumaça. Our results show that far-right anti-environmental discourse is instrumentalized as yet another component of modern culture wars, where environmental conspiracies are placed side by side with other conspiratorial claims regarding politics, gender, religion, and other ideological subjects." (Abstract)
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