Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro blocks access to his accounts on social networks for his critics, "
violating freedom of expression and the right to information,
" Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Thursday (August 19th). .
Read also Brazil: open war between Jair Bolsonaro and the Supreme Court
At least 176 accounts - the majority on Twitter - of journalists, members of parliament, influencers and other citizens as well as those of the media and NGOs have been blocked and therefore no longer have access to the president's accounts, HRW announced on its website. site.
Jair Bolsonaro "
wants to eliminate from his accounts on social networks people and institutions who do not agree with him, and make his social networks a space where only applause is accepted
", said Maria Laura Canineu, director of HRW in Brazil.
This gesture "
is part of a strategy (...) aimed at silencing or marginalizing those who criticize it
", she adds.
A very active president on social networks
The far-right president is very active on social media, which he uses not only to make announcements on government policy but also to criticize his opponents and interact with his followers.
On Twitter, he has nearly seven million, on Facebook - where he broadcasts a live Thursday evening - 14 million and on Instagram 18.6 million.
To prohibit its detractors from accessing its publications in order to respond or comment on them, "
prevents them from participating in public debate, violates freedom of expression and is discriminatory
", continues the NGO.
The inability of journalists to ask questions or request information is also hampered by freedom of the press, according to HRW.
Read also Brazil: Bolsonaro under investigation for dissemination of false information
HRW conducted its investigation in April and June.
The 176 accounts were blocked after posting comments unfavorable to the government, their holders said.
The Intercept Brasil news site, the Congresso em Foco Parliament site, the Antagonista review, two portals of the large UOL news site, and the NGOs Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International or HRW are concerned on Twitter or Instagram. -same.
The leading fact-checking site Aos Fatos was also blocked on Twitter.
Jair Bolsonaro has often complained that he has seen some of his posts removed from the networks for peddling false or false information.
Asked during a virtual conference by the international press on this subject, the Minister of Communication, Fabio Faria, estimated Wednesday that blocking subscribers was an individual right. "
Government social networks are one thing (...) and the physical person of Jair Bolsonaro is another,
" he said.
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