Deja vu, America? Brazil is aiming to quash free speech with new legislation targeting online content that supposedly helps attack “democracy.”
Brazilian outlet UOL Noticias reported January 26 that the Brazilian government is considering new legislation that aims to “monitor and punish terrorist and anti-democratic publications” on social media networks, according to a Safari translation of the piece. The bill would increase censorship of online content that supposedly harms democracy. Similar language was used to push for more censorship in the US after the Jan. 6, 2021 protests.
The proposed bill is part of a deceptively titled “Democracy Package,” and would provide for user reports on “offensive” content and hold social media companies “responsible” for supposed attacks on democracy. The bill would also notify tech platforms “to take action against posts” including “immediate removal of content.” Which would never involve political bias, right?
“Conceived by Dino’s portfolio, the package plans to present at least two bills and a Constitutional Amendment Proposal to stiffen legislation against crimes due to attacks on democracy. It is a reaction to the coup attacks of January 8 in Brasilia,” UOL claimed. The January 8 protests that invaded the Supreme Court, Presidential Palace and Congress were a reaction to evidence and allegations of widespread fraud in the recent Brazilian election.
Dino claimed that social media facilitated the Jan. 8 protests, UOL noted. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has also appointed a coordinator to help the censorship push.
Minister of Justice and Public Security Flávio Dino delivered the bill proposal Jan. 26 to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. UOL reported that Dino hopes Lula will support the bill’s processing in the Brazilian National Congress.
The Brazilian Congress has not yet passed the legislation by the publication of this piece.
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