DISINFORMATION AS A COMMUNICATIVE-ARGUMENTATIVE STRATEGY OF NEOFASCISM

Abstract

This study explores disinformation as a social phenomenon, particularly within the context of Brazilian politics, using an interdisciplinary approach. Misinformation, or fake news, has gained increasing relevance since 2016, affecting elections and political events globally, including in Brazil. This research examines misinformation in political campaigns and its relationship with Brazilian neofascism, analyzing how the concept has evolved and manifested. Defining misinformation through its variants (misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation), the study employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to investigate the interaction between texts, discursive practices, and social contexts. The research reveals how misinformation serves as a strategic tool in the construction and maintenance of neofascist ideologies, contributing to the spread of manipulative and polarizing narratives. The analysis also considers the impact of communication technologies on the proliferation of misinformation, highlighting the importance of sociocognitive approaches to understanding the relationship between discourse and social practice. The study concludes that misinformation plays a crucial role in promoting exclusionary ideologies and reinforcing social divisions in Brazil.