With Minister Lewandowski absent from social media, the debate on public security is still permeated by Flávio Dino’s influence.
By: FGV ECMI
By: FGV ECMI
- Dino transcends public security issues and stands out on social media in the debate on institutional politics;
- "Criticism of the current Supreme Court Justice accumulated during the first year of the Lula government is mobilized in the debate about the prison break in Mossoró;
- Far from social media and with a more discreet presence, Lewandowski is the 9th most mentioned minister since assuming the position of Minister of Justice and Public Security, even amid a crisis for the past two weeks;
- The debate about the escape in Mossoró presents a predominantly negative tone, with the presence of terms indicating blame and demands regarding the episode, as well as old associations between the government and criminal factions.
What are the consequences of the difference in the communication strategy and exposure of the Ministers of Justice and Public Security, Flávio Dino and Ricardo Lewandowski, on social media? The study carried out by FGV School of Communication, Media, and Information (FGV ECMI) aims to understand the characteristics of the distinct forms of communicative mobilization between the current and former ministers, based on the associations and mentions of each one in the
In the first part, a general overview is presented, showing how Dino stood out during the first year of the Lula administration and how, even in a crisis situation, Lewandowski's moderation results in less visibility. Word clouds demonstrate the predominant tone of the debate under the management of each.
Next, the associations of mentions to Dino and Lewandowski are investigated at three distinct levels of public debate: 1) Institutional Politics; 2) Public Security; and 3) the prison escape in Mossoró. A word cloud regarding the Mossoró case indicates a highly negative tone of mentions about the episode, which can be explained both by Lewandowski's low digital activity and by Dino's pronounced exposure – often associated with conspiracies.
Dino was the most mentioned minister on social media during the first year of the Lula government
Mentions of Lula's ministers
In 2023 In February 2024
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
Flávio Dino was by far the most mentioned minister during the first year of the Lula government. In charge of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, he gained prominence for his irreverence and the way he responded to attacks and criticism from opponents, generating easily viralizable content in the digital environment.
Since February, when Lewandowski took office, the top positions were occupied by the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, who faces a dengue crisis in the country, and Geraldo Alckmin, who gained prominence due to demands for a position contrary to Lula's statement about Israel. The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, occupies the 9th position among the most mentioned ministers even in a moment of crisis in the ministry, with the escape of detainees from the Mossoró prison.
Word cloud of Public Safety debate terms
Period: from January 1st to December 31st, 2023
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
Word cloud of Public Safety debate terms
Period: from February 1st to 28th, 2024
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
There are no significant differences in the tone of the main terms in the debate about security, with the constant presence, both in Dino's and Lewandowski's tenure, of terms associated with conspiracy theories about the government and criminal factions. Additionally, the continued presence of Flávio Dino as one of the central figures in the security debate is noted, even after his departure from the Ministry.
Even outside the ministry, Dino is still strongly associated with the debate on public security
Mentions of Flávio Dino and Ricardo Lewandowski in the debate on institutional policy
Period: from November 1st to February 28th (in weeks)
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
Mentions of Flávio Dino and Ricardo Lewandowski in the debate on public security
Period: from November 1st to February 28th (in weeks)
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
More specifically regarding the debate on public security, however, there is already a closer alignment, especially since Lewandowski was chosen for the ministry. However, Dino's presence in discussions on the agenda remains.
This difference in the volume of mentions of Dino and Lewandowski in the debates on Institutional Politics and Public Security suggests that Dino achieved a prominence that extended beyond the specific topics of his ministry.
Mentions of Flávio Dino and Ricardo Lewandowski in the debate on the escape from Mossoró prison
Period: from February 14th to 28th
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
Finally, when specifically observing the association between Dino and Lewandowski with the escape of inmates from the maximum-security prison in Mossoró, it is noted that the current head of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security becomes the focus of the debate. Although Dino is mentioned, the first week after the incident had Lewandowski as the main focus.
It's interesting to note, however, that the accumulation of criticism against Dino during his tenure as minister is still being mobilized, as can be seen in the peak on February 22, which was prompted by the circulation of a post listing Dino's actions and suggesting that he could be behind the escape of criminals from Mossoró.
Word cloud of terms of the debate on the Mossoró prison escape
Period: from February 14th to 28th
Source: X | Elaborated by: FGV ECMI
Finally, the word cloud of the debate about the prison break in Mossoró shows how the subject has been discussed negatively, with a strong presence of terms indicating accountability and criticism regarding the case, such as 'Minister of Justice,' 'Minister Flávio Dino,' and 'President Lula,' but also elements that mobilized the main conspiracy theories associating the government with criminal factions, such as 'queenpin' and 'Red Command.'