Lula deciphers the media of the present: the internet.

On the day he celebrates reaching 500 fans on his Facebook page, the former president publishes a video about the internet and social media; "When we have access to a tool like the internet, which allows us to be more equal, to participate in the media not only by listening, but by interacting, giving our opinion, our responsibility increases," he assesses; the Workers' Party member states that he is against any kind of veto on the use of this medium, but argues that users should be held accountable for their actions; video

January 30, 2014, 12:06 AMUpdated July 11, 2018, 06:49 pm

On the day he celebrates reaching 500 fans on his Facebook page, the former president publishes a video about the internet and social media; "When we have access to a tool like the internet, which allows us to be more equal, to participate in the media not only by listening, but by interacting, giving our opinion, our responsibility increases," he assesses; the Workers' Party member states that he is against any kind of veto on the use of this medium, but defends that users should be held accountable for their actions; video (Photo: Gisele Federicce)

247 - Celebrating reaching 500 fans on its page on FacebookOn Thursday, the 30th, former president Lula deciphers the media of the present: the internet. In a video published on the Lula Institute's website about the internet and social networks, the Workers' Party leader addresses this "extremely powerful" tool and emphasizes the importance of responsibility when using it. "It's an extremely powerful weapon; the more responsible we are, the better," he states.

"When we have access to a tool like the internet, which allows us to be more equal, to participate in the media not only by listening, but by interacting, giving our opinion, our responsibility increases," says Lula in his message. The former president also states that he is against "any veto on the use of the internet," but argues that users should be held accountable for their actions.

"When you have a lot of freedom and don't know how to use that freedom, you're throwing away an extraordinary opportunity for achievement," he states. Lula reminds us that criticism is also part of democracy, but it must be well-founded so that false information and slander are not spread. He also says that it's necessary to accept it, "because that's part of what internet democracy allows us all." "This internet freedom can bring extraordinary things," he assesses.

The former union leader, who compares "two different historical moments"—the time when it was necessary to go to factory gates to hold assemblies in order to summon workers for a political act to decide on the list of demands, for example, and today, with the internet—believes that this means of communication "can produce new fruits every single day." Watch the full version of his message below, released this Thursday: