The article “Resiliência e comunicação governamental durante a pandemia: uma comparação entre Finlândia e Brasil” (“Resilience and government communication during the pandemic: a comparison between Finland and Brazil”) is part of the ENDURE project (Research Council of Finland), which investigates democratic resilience in times of crisis, and was developed within the HEPP – Helsinki Hub on Emotions, Populism and Polarisation, at the University of Helsinki.
The article examines the public communication dynamics that unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland and Brazil. By analysing the strategies of political leaders and health authorities, it explores how official messaging and social media dynamics have shaped public perception and influenced adherence to containment measures.
The findings highlight key differences: Finland adopted a centralised, science-based approach to communication, fostering trust and coherence, while Brazil experienced a fragmented and polarised communication environment, marked by disinformation and institutional conflicts, which undermined public policies and social cohesion.
Importantly, this is the first publication using the AC/DT (Anarcho-Computational Discourse-Theoretical) methodology, developed by the HEPP research team. This innovative approach combines discourse theory with computational methods to analyse complex communication landscapes, particularly in contexts marked by emotional polarisation and institutional contestation.
The article contributes to a deeper understanding of how communication strategies (especially in times of crisis) can either reinforce or erode democratic resilience, legitimacy, and public trust.