Why we exist
TORNAVOZ is a nonprofit organization that aims to guarantee specialized legal defense to those who experience lawsuits due to the exercise of their freedom of expression rights. The entity also promotes the discussion and appreciation of these rights through participation in strategic lawsuits and awareness actions.
TORNAVOZ recognizes that the ability to freely and safely exercise the right to freedom of thought in its entirety is essential to the functioning of democratic institutions. The definition of this right is a highly complex issue, which requires comprehending the nature, content, and purpose of this right. The lawsuits regarding freedom of expression therefore often in-depth knowledge of numerous areas of the law and the complex cases that surround it.
The complexity and deepness of the internet, as well as the environment created by social media, blogs, and other information-sharing platforms, heightens the stakes, generating controversies and conflicts that surround this right. This phenomenon is observed throughout Brazil, inflating the public debate on this topic, which was previously contained within the urban centers and involved lawsuits predominantly against large communications companies.
It has now become more frequent for small media outlets, bloggers, influencers, and even non-professional social media citizens to be dragged into complex lawsuits. These stakeholders are often unable to afford or even obtain specialized legal representation. Consequently, decisions rendered in these lawsuits, precariously or not, are setting precedents and limiting the exercise of freedom of expression.
Additionally, the growing insecurity regarding the performance of the press in Brazil took shape with the classification of the year 2020 as “dark” by the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Reporters without Borders, which identified no less than 580 attacks against the media in 2020. [1]
Based on this diagnosis, lawyer Tais Gasparian, who has represented journalists and media outlets for over thirty years, sought to bring together a group of specialized lawyers on the issue. This group is willing to act on several fronts to support defendants and lawyers involved in cases that address issues related to freedom of expression.
