TSE orders deletion of video that resumes fake news about the PT's sexual booklet

In the video, recorded in 2019, there is a message that the party would be distributing a sexual booklet in daycare centers and schools, which would even include guidance on pedophilia and child masturbation, something which has never occurred in any Brazilian state!

According to the presidential campaign of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who filed the lawsuit, the video was created to target the PT government in Ceará at the time.

How did it get back into circulation?

The material was republished a few days before the first round for asupporters of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), candidate for re-election.

In 2018, when candidates Fernando Haddad, from the PT, and Bolsonaro from the PSL ran for the presidential position, similar associations and lies were used to target the PT's electoral campaign.

On the networks, Bolsonaro profiles reproduced misleading pieces stating that baby bottles with penis-shaped rubber nipples had been distributed in daycare centers by the PT to combat homophobia. Read how the content was debunked and verified by the Check it out — coalition of Brazilian press vehicles to combat disinformation.

Elections and fake news: lying strategies and how to combat them

The popularization of digital media and the use of social networks as sources of information in Brazil helped fuel the fake news industry. In election years – and particularly 2022, with fiercer disputes – concerns are growing about the impact that fake news, and the sharing of it, could have on the increasingly digitalized population. So, understand how the false information industry works and learn how to protect yourself from falling into traps.

Court's Conclusion

Minister Cármen Lúcia welcomed the argument that the video attempts to associate Lula and the PT with the “distribution of books with erotic content, pedophilia and the practice of child masturbation”. “It is known to be false”, said the minister.

“The link between the content of the video with the party and the candidate generates misinformation, as the message transmitted, as demonstrated in the initial and confirmed by checking and press agencies, has no support in reality”, wrote the minister in the decision, handed down on October 7th.

'Programmed' ballot boxes and other lies that surrounded the elections

As expected, the presidential election in Brazil – which will have a second round between Lula (PT) and Bolsonaro (PL) on October 30 – was taken over by misinformation on the internet. Votes in prisons, use of the banned national team t-shirt and other fake electoral news went viral. Check out some of the rumors that were debunked by fact-checkers.

Source: Estadão Content