In recent months, an electrifying debate has swept through the online landscape around the disciplinary proceedings initiated against six Brazilian congresswomen. The online support and backlash faced by these Brazilian congresswomen entangled in ethics inquiries serve as a microcosm of the larger issues surrounding gender, diversity, and inclusion in Brazilian politics.
The proceedings, initiated on June 14, 2023, by the Ethics Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, accuse these parliamentarians of breaching decorum. What triggered this turmoil? Their scathing criticism of legislators who supported bill PL 490/7, better known as the “Temporal Framework Bill, ” which aims to delimit indigenous lands. During a tumultuous Congressional session on May 24, 2023, these congresswomen branded those voting in favour as “murderers.”
The ensuing online discussions on YouTube have unveiled a profound polarisation in public sentiment, with messages of unwavering support and venomous hate speech battling for supremacy.
Supporters vs. Haters
On one side of this virtual battleground, there’s an overwhelming surge of support for these congresswomen, with Congresswoman Sa’0302mia Bomfim from PSOL-SP taking the spotlight, both individually and as part of the group facing the ethics inquiry. Their voices are echoed across multiple YouTube channels, with Bomfim’s own channel being the epicenter of a groundswell of supportive comments. This wave of encouragement extends far beyond Sa’0302mia Bomfim, encompassing the entire group of congresswomen facing the ethics inquiry.
However, lurking in the shadows is a disturbing undercurrent of hate speech and the propagation of harmful stereotypes. Detractors, in a bid to undermine these congresswomen, have stooped to questioning the legitimacy of women in politics, launching attacks on their intelligence, appearance, and resilience in the face of the ongoing disciplinary process. These antagonistic comments frequently resort to gender, race, and appearance-based stereotypes, creating a distressing and misogynistic atmosphere around these female legislators.
Alarming Trends
A recent report, conducted by Democracy Reporting International and Programa de Diversidade e Inclusa’0303o da FGV Direito Rio (Diversity and Inclusion Program at FGV Direito Rio), lifts the veil on this online phenomenon. Between May 30 and July 7, 2023, a staggering 2, 600 comments posted on YouTube videos revolved around the disciplinary proceedings targeting these congresswomen. In a detailed analysis, it’s revealed that more than half of these comments expressed unwavering support for the parliamentarians, while less than a third voiced opposition, primarily congregating on channels aligned with far-right content.
What’s particularly concerning is the venomous toxicity that many of these opposing comments exude. The analysis identifies an alarming trend where highly toxic comments are overwhelmingly directed at the congresswomen facing the ethics inquiry, painting a grim picture of the online discourse.
Sentiment vs. Toxicity
The report also uncovers an intriguing connection between sentiment and toxicity in these comments. Positive comments, the ones rallying behind the congresswomen, generally maintain a civil tone and exhibit less toxicity compared to the negative comments that vehemently oppose them. This correlation suggests that amidst the polarised debate, those supporting the congresswomen opt for a more respectful tone, while the opposition often resorts to the poisonous rhetoric.
Conclusion
As the Media and Democracy Project, a collaboration between the School of Communication, Media, and Information of the Getu’0301lio Vargas Foundation (FGV ECMI) and the European Union, continues its vigilant monitoring and analysis of these digital spaces, it becomes increasingly evident that discussions concerning gender issues, racial inequality, minority rights, and hate speech are at the forefront of Brazilian politics.
The stark polarisation witnessed in these online conversations underscores the urgency of fostering constructive and respectful dialogue in the digital arena. The project’s mission to create a public space for promoting such dialogue, involving researchers, civil society, government representatives, and platform stakeholders, is more critical now than ever.
In a nutshell, the case of Brazilian congresswomen facing ethics inquiries serves as a stark reminder that as digital spaces continue to shape public discourse, it is our collective responsibility to work tirelessly toward a more inclusive, respectful, and engaging online environment—one where all voices, regardless of their viewpoint, can find a place to be heard and understood.
