In a startling development from Brazil, American author and journalist Michael D. Shellenberger reports on a series of events that have raised alarms over freedom of speech and the state of democracy in the South American country. On April 6, 2024, X corporation, previously known as Twitter, was compelled by a Brazilian court to block certain popular accounts, marking a significant move towards censorship. In a bold response, X’s owner, Elon Musk, announced the company’s intention to defy the court’s orders, stating, “principles matter more than profit,” despite the potential financial repercussions, including the shutdown of their Brazilian office.
This confrontation has escalated tensions, with threats looming over the possible nationwide blockage of X/Twitter by Brazil’s Supreme Court. Shellenberger, speaking from Brazil, suggests that the country is teetering on the edge of authoritarianism, led by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and supported by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The journalist accuses the government of pushing towards totalitarianism by funding mainstream media outlets that promote increased censorship and violating international and national laws dedicated to human rights and freedom of expression.
Further accusations are made against Justice de Moraes for overstepping his bounds by demanding private information from Twitter users and attempting to manipulate the platform’s content moderation policies against political opponents. This incident is part of what Shellenberger refers to as the “Twitter Files for Brazil,” which allegedly reveal the government’s unconstitutional acts.
The report also highlights a broader issue of tech companies, including Google and Facebook, purportedly providing personal user data to the Brazilian government without legal orders, suggesting a betrayal of user privacy.
Shellenberger’s observations extend beyond digital rights, touching on a growing climate of fear among Brazilian citizens, who, according to him, are increasingly hesitant to speak out against the government’s actions. Despite his outsider status, Shellenberger voices concerns that many locals feel unable to express, labeling de Moraes as a tyrant and urging Brazilian senators and citizens alike to confront these authoritarian practices.
Read Shellenberger’s message here:
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Author: Vlad Tepes
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