MEDIA IN THE COMMUNICATION AGE: CHALLENGES AND REFLECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN BRAZILIAN DEMOCRACY

Abstract

Democracy, in the age of digital information, is greatly influenced by the formation of public opinion in the political process. Its strengthening requires control and accountability of media actors when there is a deviation from the right to freedom of expression. The general objective that guides this article seeks to analyze the impacts the media in the digital age produces on Brazilian democracy, highlighting elements for its regulation with specific aim of continuously strengthening the democratic system. The dissemination of false information and hate speech represents challenges to be faced in the current information age, as they destroy the rationality of public debate, social cohesion, and ultimately, democracy itself. The research is descriptive, with a qualitative approach and deductive method. Ultimately, the hypothesis regarding the need for media regulation to strengthen democracy is validated, preserving the diversity of ideas and the quality of democratic debate.