Poor internet access fuels misinformation in Brazil
The lack of internet access or poor-quality connections remains one of the main obstacles preventing people from staying informed, according to the study From Indigenous Territories to the Peripheries: Portraits of Misinformation and News Consumption in Brazil, released on Wednesday (May 13). Limited access to information sources also distances people from information.
“More than improving formats or expanding reach, the challenge is to change the logic: moving from journalism that only ‘speaks’ to journalism that listens and builds together,” the survey by the Coalition of Peripheral, Favela, Quilombola, and Indigenous Media noted.
The study surveyed approximately 1,500 people in the states of Pará, Pernambuco, and São Paulo and presented 16 recommendations to strengthen journalism, combat misinformation, and democratize communication.
In addition to connectivity difficulties - a problem cited by one in four respondentes - the survey reveals that people living in low-income urban communities struggle to determine whether information is false (17%) and also attribute their difficulty in identifying reliable content to a lack of time (16%).
People with exhausting routines and multiple responsibilities - as is the case for many women - have less time to reflect on the content they receive, the survey notes.
To address this situation, the study highlights the potential of local journalism, which enjoys public trust and understands the realities of these communities, explained Thais Siqueira, the study’s coordinator and director of the Coalition.
According to the survey, most respondents seek news to understand what happened in their own neighborhood (17%), followed by making decisions (14%), sharing information (12%), and having topics for conversation (11%).
To do so, the most widely used platforms are messaging apps and social media, notably WhatsApp and Instagram.
Regions
However, there are differences between regions. In Pernambuco and São Paulo, there is greater diversification across platforms, news websites, and social media, while in Pará, WhatsApp, broadcast television, and radio prevail. The survey highlighted that this situation underscores the relevance of traditional media in areas where digital access is more limited.
The device most commonly used by respondents is the cell phone, followed by television, computers, and radio. Traditional media and websites, along with acquaintances, teachers, and community leaders, were identified in the survey as the most reliable sources of accurate information.
Contrary to expectations, digital influencers ranked below WhatsApp groups on the list.
Combating misinformation
Although traditional media are considered the most accessible and reliable, access to them alone does not guarantee the fight against misinformation. According to the survey, locally produced content that respects knowledge, diverse forms of expression, and “collective ways of constructing and validating knowledge” enjoys greater public support.
This scenario opens up an opportunity to strengthen local dynamics, Siqueira emphasized.
“Trust is built through relationships, experiences, and local references, and journalism needs to engage with this rather than ignore it,” summarized the Coalition’s director.
According to her, the study shows that combating misinformation is not limited to fact-checking. “It requires a reorganization, including the recognition and funding of local communication systems.”
This is one of the 16 recommendations from the study, which also suggests producing information in audio formats, short videos, and shareable content to make access easier for people who rely exclusively on these platforms on their cell phones and lack internet data plans.
