Freedom of Expression and the Harmful Effects of Fake News Within the Limits of the Constitution
Freedom of Expression and the Harmful Effects of Fake News Within the Limits of the Constitution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i2.2025.1631Keywords:
Freedom of Expression; Paradox of Tolerance; Fake News; RacismAbstract
The topic of freedom of expression has received increasing attention worldwide, being the subject of controversial debates that have reached the Supreme Courts. The relevance of this fundamental right lies in the possibility of promoting the circulation of ideas and social dialogue, essential for democratic coexistence. This article discusses different situations that highlight the limits of freedom of expression. In the view of the legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin, it is legitimate to ridicule ideas, but protection ends when ridicule reaches the personal sphere, constituting a violation of the rights of third parties. Karl Popper, in formulating the Paradox of Tolerance, questions "to what extent should we tolerate the intolerant?", highlighting the need to contain discourses that threaten tolerance itself. The Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to its health impact, revealed a scenario of massive dissemination of fake news, which caused misinformation and aggravated social tensions. Finally, Habeas Corpus No. 1 is analyzed. 82,424, in which the Supreme Federal Court debated whether antisemitic publications would constitute the crime of racism, with the rapporteur, Minister Moreira Alves, concluding that the legal concept of racism transcends biological aspects, encompassing a social and political reality.
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References
BRASIL. Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988. Diário Oficial da União, Brasília, DF, 5 out. 1988.
BRASIL. Supremo Tribunal Federal. Habeas Corpus n. 82.424/RS. Relator: Min. Maurício Corrêa. Brasília, DF, 17 set. 2003.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Davi Nazaré de Queiroz, Hileano Pereira Praia Filho, Paulo Eduardo Queiroz da Costa (Autor)
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