Natália Leal

Chief executive officer, Lupa

Natália Leal led Lupa’s team during intense COVID-19 disinformation in Brazil. The newsroom checked false stories about empty coffins and distorted comparisons of death figures, including narratives amplified by political figures. She initiated “No Epicentro”, a visualisation making the death toll more understandable by placing it within the user’s neighbourhood. She also developed “Digital Democracy”, which brought election fact-checking to communities underserved by news media. Her proposed candidacy rests on consistently testing prominent claims against evidence and finding accessible ways for audiences to understand the underlying data.