Disinformation diplomacy: The US, Brazil and declining global media freedom
The Foreign Affairs Committee continues to explore how malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy, turning its attention to the Americas and questions of global media freedoms.
The US Government identified Russia, China and Iran as key actors conducting interference operations, but government agencies aimed at countering disinformation such as the Global Engagement Centre have been closed down since President Trump took office. Ongoing disputes with social media companies in Latin America are also of concern.
Meeting details
In Brazil, the Government has expressed increasing concern over the role of social media platforms in enabling the spread of disinformation. Broader questions on the regulation of social media platforms will be considered by the second panel as MPs take a closer look at the dispute between the Brazilian Government and X during the 2022 Presidential election and subsequent attack on Congress.
The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Sans Frontiers estimates that 38 journalists have been killed and more than 550 media workers detained globally so far in 2025. The Committee will explore how global media freedoms have declined in the last few years and what initiatives are available to assist journalists to combat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).