As part of their SSRC-funded research, Olívia Bandeira, Alex Hercog, Iury Batistta, and Réia Gonçalves Pereira investigate the impact of right-wing evangelical media on Brazil’s response to the pandemic, paying close attention to how mis/disinformation spread through mainstream and social media run by popular pastors. Echoing the rhetoric of the Bolsonaro government, evangelical media sowed doubt about Covid-19’s impact in Brazil and later distrust about the vaccine. Brazilian evangelical media mis/disinformation about Covid-19, the authors argue, signals support for Bolsonaro’s neoconservative project, which aligns with their beliefs, such as viewing Brazil as a “Christian nation” and bringing an end to the secular state.
Réia Sílvia Gonçalves Pereira
Réia Sílvia Gonçalves Pereira has a PhD in social sciences from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, a master's degree in social sciences, and is a specialist in public policy. She is a member of the Urban and Socio-Environmental Studies Laboratory (Leus) – DSS/PUC and the research group MIRE – Media, Religion and Culture at Intercom.