RISK SOCIETY: PUBLIC POLICIES, FAKE NEWS AND DENIALISM

Abstract

Contextualization: The present article aims to investigate the challenge of developing public policies against COVID- 19 pandemic in Brazil within the context of a postmodern society of risk. The study considers the scenario of science politicization encouraged by fake news and sustained by negationist postures even. 

Objectives: The following hypotheses are proposed: a) the process of disinformation caused by the dissemination of fake news about the pandemic in Brazil would be leading to a biased thermostat assessment of risk resulting from a process of pandemic politicization; b) the advancement of science and the belief in expert systems involved in solving the pandemic crisis in a process of reflexive construction of knowledge would provide the opening for democratic paths of dialogue to overcome the crises in harmony with individual rights and freedoms.

Methodology: Starting from a bibliographic research guided by the deductive method and mediated by a descriptive-interpretative approach.

Results: As a conclusion, the study points that the pandemic issue goes beyond the scope of the autonomy of will, rising to a cosmopolitan interest situation. Therefore, it imposes a double ethical imperative to action, which should be guided by synchronic and diachronic solidarity. It also demands a reinterpretation of the rule in dubio pro societatis to affirm that, when in doubt, the global community’s health and life must be safeguarded.