Image captured by a CCTV camera showing a man throwing a clock to the ground at the Presidential Palace of Planalto in Brasilia, Sunday January 8, 2023. AFP
It is an extremely successful Instagram account. Launched on the morning of January 9, Contragolpe Brasil (Brazil Counter-Coup) has garnered more than 1.1 million online subscribers in a short week. His objective is clear and highlighted in his description: “identifying individuals who are undermining democracy in Brazil”. Either the hunt for the rioters responsible for the destruction of the country’s democratic institutions on March 8 or
In about ten days, more than 220 alleged “coup plotters” have already been identified on the Internet
According to him, the account works in a collaborative way. Netizens are broadcasting detailed denunciations about people suspected of taking part in the riots. Contragolpe Brasil then publishes their names, along with their photo at the time of the events and their place of residence. In about ten days, more than 220 alleged “putschists” have already revealed their identities on the Internet.
In Brazil, the Instagram account is anything but an isolated case. He is supported by a whole series of other profiles in social networks. Among them the Twitter account Gado decide (158,000 subscribers), which aims to track down the country’s Bolsonarists, compared to vulgar oxen (gado, beef in Portuguese). Contragolpe has also garnered support from influential netizens, including Felipe Neto, one of the most followed YouTubers in the world.
Also read: Article reserved for our subscribers In Brazil, an “unprecedented” attack on democracy
suspicion of guilt
This so-called denuncismo practice (“denunciation” or denunciation) is not without controversy. Many in Brazil are those who denounce the moral and legal risks of a method that consists of dumping on social networks the identities and private data of simple suspects, who sometimes have not been arrested by the police or brought to justice.
“This violation of privacy and the presumption of innocence endangers people, but also their families,” explains Denise Dora
“This method is shocking and risky: the chances of unfairly accusing innocent people are enormous,” said Denise Dora, director of the NGO Artigo 19, which works to defend freedom of expression in Brazil. “It is the result of the great confusion and immense emotion aroused by the events of January 8th. All of this has a direct impact on social media, she notes. This violation of privacy and the presumption of innocence puts individuals and their families at risk. »
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