Iria Puyosa, Roberta Braga, Pedro Vaca
Social media platforms have become indispensable in electoral contexts, serving as vital tools for information dissemination, campaign outreach, and circumventing censorship in closed or semi-closed societies. However, the lack of effective regulation, paired with the need to uphold free speech, poses significant risks, particularly the spread of disinformation and misinformation.
On October 31, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a critical panel discussion, bringing together experts in digital democracy and freedom of expression to explore the evolving role of social media in elections. Moderated by Roberta Braga, Founder and Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), the discussion tackled pressing questions:
How do social media platforms impact electoral integrity while protecting free speech?
What lessons can be drawn from recent elections in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela?
How do these experiences compare to the upcoming United States presidential elections?
The event featured prominent voices such as Pedro Vaca, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and experts from Civic Compass, ARTICLE 19, and the Atlantic Council. The conversation highlighted key challenges and opportunities in regulating social media, the role of civil society in protecting freedom of expression, and the future of digital democracy in the Americas.
This hybrid event was part of the Inter-American Dialogue’s ongoing series on elections in Latin America and the Caribbean. Simultaneous interpretation was provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience.
Catch the full discussion in the video below.
More information about the event here.