THE ROUANET LAW IN THE TWITTER ARENA

A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The Rouanet Law, created in 1991, is Brazil's main mechanism for promoting culture, allowing tax deductions for cultural projects. Despite its importance, the law has sparked controversy on social media, particularly on Twitter, where it is frequently targeted by misinformation and fake news. This study analyzes the discursive strategies employed by politicians, influencers, and journalists to understand how these narratives shape public opinion and influence cultural debates. Using a qualitative approach, the research examines 23 popular tweets (2021-2024) through the lens of Norman Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) (1992, 2016). CDA explores discourse in three dimensions: text, discursive practice, and social practice, revealing the ideologies and power dynamics underlying discursive interactions. The results highlight an ideological divide: critics, often aligned with conservative groups, emphasize narratives about the alleged misuse of public funds, while supporters underscore the law’s role in democratizing and decentralizing cultural access in Brazil. Twitter emerges as a symbolic arena of dispute, reflecting political and social tensions. This study contributes to the application of CDA in digital contexts and provides valuable insights for policymakers and cultural managers to counter misinformation, fostering more effective and inclusive communication.