The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) recommends that a new bill in Brazil to combat fake news should be debated in depth and include the opinions of press associations specialised in the subject in order to ensure that the right to freedom of expression in the digital space is guaranteed.

IAPA supported the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI) and 46 civil society organisations that spoke out against the bill (PL 2.630 / 2020 – Brazilian Law of Freedom, Responsibility and Transparency on the Internet) and promoted that broad debate take place.

IAPA President Christopher Barnes, while acknowledging the global challenge and inherent harm in purveyance of misinformation, said the organisation considers that, as indicated by the Declaration of Salta in its 10th principle, disinformation “must not be combated with censorship mechanisms or criminal sanctions, but rather with the adoption of policies on news and digital literacy”.

Roberto Rock, president of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, added, “The discussion on regulation of content on the Internet must always take place in an open, transparent, profound and inclusive manner”, and urged parliamentarians to deepen the discussion of the bill and to listen to all stakeholders.

The IAPA is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the defence and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas.