By Erich Thomas Mafra
The global decline in freedom of expression isn’t limited to authoritarian states, but is also affecting established democracies. This assertion comes from one of the world’s most respected voices on the topic of freedom of expression: Danish lawyer Jacob Mchangama .
According to him, “democracies are increasingly restricting freedom of expression. And they do so in the name of protecting democracy.” Mchangama, along with Fernando Schüler , political scientist and curator of the “Frontiers of Thought” project, participated in the final day of the masterclass, which aimed to deepen understanding of one of the most important pillars of democracy. The event was held in São Paulo this week by the Sivis Institute, in partnership with Belavista College, bringing together Brazilian and international experts.
Mchangama and Schüler offered complementary perspectives on the state of freedom of expression in Brazil and worldwide, highlighting the urgency of the issue and proposing paths for the future. The Danish lawyer noted that there is a growing perception that freedom of expression poses a threat, being used as a weapon by groups exploiting new technologies to undermine social peace.
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How Brazil still fails in freedom of expression
Mchangama expressed surprise and concern that comedian Léo Lins’s case in Brazil doesn’t “connect with everyone,” contrasting it with the strong reaction that would arise in Denmark if a comedian were sentenced to eight years in prison. “It’s a bit surprising and worrying to me that it’s not something that resonates more with Brazilians,” he said.
“This poses a clear and present danger. Not only to democracy, but also to people’s ability to express themselves .” The lawyer emphasized Brazil’s critical role as a regional and global “pendulum state” for freedom of expression and democracy.
“If Brazil becomes a more illiberal democracy, moving down the path of censorship and political control of freedom of expression, this will have enormous implications not only for Latin America, but also for the world,” Mchangama warned.
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Jacob Mchangama is the Founder and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech. He is also a research professor at Vanderbilt University and a Senior Fellow at The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).