Past Events

Latin America’s Struggle for Democracy and Press Freedom in Times of Polarization and Disinformation

Presented by the College of Arts & Sciences and the Center for Sustainable Democracy

About the Event

Latin America’s 20th century struggle to establish stable democracies, despite frequent military coups and dictatorships, has been followed in the 21st century by a new wave of authoritarianism and antidemocratic movements that have chosen the media and press freedom as main targets of their attacks. Instead of the old censorship from the military, populist leaders have tried to demonize journalism in new ways, while using the digital media ecosystem to spread disinformation and propaganda. 

DATE, TIME AND LOCATION

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Rosental Calmon Alves 

Knight Chair in Journalism & UNESCO Chair in Communication 
Director, Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas 
School of Journalism & Media | Moody College of Communication
The University of Texas at Austin 

Rosental Alves, a seasoned journalist with 27 years of professional experience, transitioned to academia in the United States in March 1996 after serving as a journalism professor in Brazil. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, he was the managing editor of Jornal do Brasil, a prominent Brazilian newspaper, for 23 years. Alves became the inaugural holder of the Knight Chair in International Journalism in 1995, followed by the creation of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas in 2002 with a $2 million grant from the Knight Foundation. Based at the University of Texas at Austin, the Knight Center focuses on training journalists across Latin America and the Caribbean. Alves, who served as a foreign correspondent in various countries, pioneered online journalism in Brazil, launching the first real-time finance news service in 1991 and the online edition of Jornal do Brasil in 1994. At the University of Texas, his teaching and research span international reporting, journalism in Latin America, and internet journalism. Alves has been a prominent speaker at conferences and workshops worldwide and holds advisory roles in multiple international organizations. He received a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University and holds a B.A. in journalism from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University.

IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS

Attendance at this event fulfills an opportunity for rigorous debate as mandated by the State of Florida Civics Literacy graduation requirement. Some students who transfer from other institutions are able to supplement their transfer coursework to meet graduation requirements by participating. Proof of attendance that includes a photo at the event is necessary to receive the credit.

PARKING 

Parking is available in Lots 23A and 23B. For more information about campus parking, please visit the Parking Services website.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENT?

For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact CAS RSVP.