A Decade of Fighting Disinformation: Aos Fatos and the Evolving Landscape of Truth in Brazil
In 2015, Aos Fatos launched in Brazil with a prescient warning: a communication crisis was brewing. The organization recognized that while everyone seemed eager to speak, few were truly listening. Ten years later, this observation has proven tragically accurate. Brazil, like much of the world, is now hyper-dependent on digital platforms, with 84% of its population online, a significant increase from the 66% a decade ago. This digital dependence has coincided with the weaponization of disinformation, eroding public trust in vital institutions like the press, science, and the judiciary. Aos Fatos, a pioneer in fact-checking, has spent the last decade battling this tide, evolving from a niche journalistic practice into a critical bulwark against democratic erosion. From the trenches of real-time communication during the pandemic, the fight against authoritarianism, and the institutional fragility exposed by the January 8th attacks, Aos Fatos has emerged as a leading voice for truth and accountability.
Over the past decade, Aos Fatos has diligently fact-checked more than 19,000 claims, holding public figures accountable and debunking viral hoaxes. This work has extended beyond individual fact-checks to encompass the systems that perpetuate disinformation. Aos Fatos has developed methodologies for real-time monitoring of misleading narratives, documented and exposed coordinated disinformation campaigns, and shared its extensive databases with researchers globally. Their work has provided crucial support to official investigations, including the Senate’s Covid-19 Inquiry and the January 8th Attacks inquiry, demonstrating the vital role of fact-checking in uncovering truth and supporting accountability. Their collaboration with institutions like the Supreme Federal Court and the Superior Electoral Court has solidified their position as a key player in safeguarding democratic processes. The organization’s core mission has always been to expose and dismantle the machinery of disinformation, not just to debunk individual lies.
Despite this crucial work, fact-checking continues to be misrepresented as censorship, particularly by those who benefit from the spread of falsehoods. This narrative deliberately confuses accountability with silencing. Fact-checking, as practiced by Aos Fatos, is a form of journalism, holding individuals responsible for their claims and providing the public with the information needed to make informed decisions. Ironically, Aos Fatos itself has been targeted by censorship attempts, facing judicial harassment, forced content removal, surveillance, and journalist harassment, even becoming a target of the “Parallel Abin,” Brazil’s shadow intelligence network. These attacks highlight the vulnerability of truth-tellers in a digital landscape often weaponized against them.
The complexities of the digital ecosystem are further highlighted by the paradoxical relationship between fact-checkers and platforms like Meta. While relying on fact-checkers to maintain a veneer of credibility and inform their transparency reports, these platforms can simultaneously undermine fact-checking efforts, as evidenced by Mark Zuckerberg’s public attack on the very organizations Meta had partnered with. Despite this tension, the efficacy of fact-checking is well-documented. Studies have consistently shown that exposure to fact-checks significantly reduces belief in misinformation and promotes more accurate perceptions of reality. In Brazil, concern about online disinformation is high, and a substantial portion of the population actively seeks out fact-checking services. This underscores the need not just to produce fact-checks, but also to create an environment where they are valued, shared, and integrated into the information ecosystem.
The disinformation landscape is constantly evolving, extending beyond political rhetoric to encompass a range of digital scams targeting vulnerable individuals. The pandemic accelerated this trend, with the rise of digital banking and online services creating fertile ground for fraudsters. Aos Fatos has seen a dramatic increase in scams related to fake benefits, fundraising campaigns, and phishing schemes, many of which leverage AI-generated deepfakes to deceive users. The rise of AI presents a new challenge, as readily available tools allow for the manipulation of public content, creating a flood of distorted and reinterpreted information. The abundance of information, paradoxically, fuels disinformation, requiring innovative public policies and journalistic practices to mitigate this risk and protect individuals from manipulation.
The stakes of this battle are high. The assassination of Marielle Franco, fueled by online conspiracy theories; the January 8th attacks, propelled by a coordinated web of lies; and the exploitation of natural disasters for political gain all demonstrate that disinformation is not a mere annoyance, but a potent tool employed by state and market actors. The digital environment has cultivated a culture of distraction and instant gratification, where engagement is often prioritized over critical thinking. The apparent intimacy fostered by social media platforms blurs the lines between public figures and their followers, creating an environment where performance often overshadows substance. In this context, fact-checking represents a radical act, disrupting the viral spread of emotion-driven narratives and demanding accountability.
Aos Fatos’ mission for the next decade and beyond will necessitate continued adaptation and innovation. The organization is committed to developing ethical technology, including AI systems designed to combat disinformation, and providing intelligence to support effective public policy. Exposing the mechanics of disinformation, confronting the systems that perpetuate it, and championing journalism as a crucial component of civic infrastructure are essential to safeguarding democratic values. In a world saturated with misinformation, Aos Fatos’ persistence in its mission is a testament to the enduring power of truth and the vital role of journalism in a healthy democracy. The organization’s unwavering dedication to fostering trust in journalism and democratic institutions is not merely an act of resistance, but a necessary investment in the future of Brazil.