Disinformation, Denialism, and Authoritarianism: Analyzing the paths of delegitimizing democracy and the role of Telegram.

• Grant number: 23/11776-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 08, 2024
• End date: May 07, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology - Other specific Sociologies
• Principal Investigator: Marcos César Alvarez
• Grantee: Pablo Emanuel Romero Almada
• Supervisor: Anthony Wynne Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Florida International University (FIU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/07121-4 - Problematizing negationism: COVID-19 pandemic, democracy, and human rights, BP.PD

Abstract

This research proposal applies for a post-doctoral Research Internships Abroad of São Paulo Research Foundation (BEPE/FAPESP) 4-month internship (October 15, 2023 - February 15, 2024) at the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University under the supervision of Professor Anthony W. Pereira. This project investigates the connective actions promoted by the far-right on Telegram's public channels and private groups. For this, we propose to research the general patterns regarding the massive content of mis/disinformation to delegitimize democracy and promote authoritarian, anti-democratic, and coup-oriented positions, similar to the events in the US Capitol Riot and the violent attack on the Three Powers of Brazil. By undertaking a research internship abroad, the ultimate goal of this project is to enhance and improve the theoretical and methodological framework for addressing this crucial issue, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by democracy in the disinformation age.