BMZ – Democracy Forum: Disinformation in Latin America

Disinformation in Latin America: Challenges and Strategies to Protect and Strengthen Democracy

The international community is experiencing a phase of global autocratisation. Core democratic elements such as the separation of powers, the rule of law, participation, a strong civil society, freedom of expression and the press as well as the respect for human rights are under pressure.

Digital technologies facilitate the dissemination – but also the manipulation – of information. Disinformation acts as a catalyst for polarisation and social division. It fuels mistrust in democratic institutions and processes (e.g. the integrity of elections) and reduces the space for civil society by restricting freedom of expression and the media and fuelling attacks on activists.

With this event, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and GIZ  would like to make a concrete contribution to the current discussion on the causes, effects and possible solutions in connection with disinformation in Latin America.

The Democracy Forum will address the following key questions:

• What is the understanding of democracy in Latin America and what is the state of democracy in the region?
• What are the causes, extent and effects of disinformation in Latin America?
• What role do different groups of actors play and what effective approaches are there to combat disinformation?
•  What implications does this have for German development cooperation?