Brazil: Reporters Without Borders takes a stand against Big Tech

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way we gather information, and its impact was a hot topic at November’s G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) emerged as a key campaigner for responsible AI use, highlighting the need to protect journalism in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The Summit’s final declaration acknowledged the risks AI poses to information integrity. This is a crucial step forward, and the world leaders called for regulations that promote transparency and accountability in AI technologies. 

At the summit, RSF also unveiled the Spinoza Project, a generative AI tool designed to enhance climate change reporting. This tool empowers journalists to quickly access accurate information from legal and scientific sources, showcasing how AI can be harnessed responsibly with a focus on transparency, accountability, and copyright protection.

However, there are still challenges in Brazil. A proposed AI bill faced pushback from the Big Tech lobby, and they ended up with a diluted version of the legislation. On 10 December 2024, the Brazilian Senate approved Bill No. 2338/2023, which outlines rules for AI development and usage in the country. Key features of the bill include:

• The Bill will apply to AI development, deployment and use in Brazil.

• The Bill will impose obligations on AI system providers and operators, whether they are natural or juristic persons.

• The Bill takes a risk-based approach that prohibits excessive-risk AI systems and imposes additional safety requirements on high-risk AI systems.

• The Bill will allow developers to use copyrighted material to train AI models if the material was obtained for non-profit purposes.

• The penalties for non-compliance with the Bill can go up to BRL 50 million (approx. $1.6 million) or 2% of the total turnover of the company.

In light of Meta's recent changes to its content moderation policies, RSF has urged the Brazilian government to establish a firm liability regime for digital platforms. This call comes after Meta announced it would cease funding its fact-checking programme, a move RSF warns could exacerbate disinformation and undermine journalistic credibility.

As Brazil navigates these challenges, RSF's advocacy underscores the critical need to protect journalism and ensure the public has access to trustworthy information. Their efforts at the G20 and within Brazil's legislative process reflect a strong commitment to fostering a healthier information environment.

With the Independent Media Association (IMA) heading into negotiations with Big Tech in the UK, it's more important than ever to stay informed about developments in other countries.

If you have questions about our work on collective bargaining with Big Tech, feel free to reach out at community@ima.press.