FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF TSE DECISIONS ON THE FIGHT AGAINST FAKE NEWS IN THE 2024 ELECTIONS

Abstract

Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of democracy, guaranteeing the right to information and the plurality of voices in public debate. In the 2024 elections, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) adopted more incisive measures to combat disinformation, expanding its action against fake news on social networks and holding digital platforms and political agents accountable for false content. These decisions have raised debates about the limits between regulation and censorship, especially when they have affected media outlets and press professionals. While the central objective was to protect the integrity of the electoral process, there were concerns about possible impacts on editorial freedom and the free exercise of journalism. The TSE's performance highlights the contemporary challenge of balancing the fight against disinformation with the preservation of democratic freedoms. Thus, the 2024 elections marked a milestone in the redefinition of the boundaries between institutional regulation and press autonomy in the digital environment.