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Brazil's TSE Minister issues rulings on election disinformation
Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) Minister André Mendonça has issued several rulings addressing disinformation and irregular campaigning during the 2026 election cycle.
Mendonça fined presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro R$ 5,000 for the irregular boosting of social media content that used negative premises against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to promote his own candidacy. While the court did not order the removal of the post, it prohibited further boosts of content with the same messaging.
Additionally, the Minister ordered the removal of social media posts within 24 hours that falsely claimed Lula threw the Brazilian flag on the ground after voting. The court determined that video evidence showed the flag being rolled and handed to another person. However, posts expressing opinions that the handling of the flag was disrespectful were permitted as protected speech.
Finally, Mendonça requested that Meta explain how WhatsApp can identify and limit the circulation of fraudulent audio messages. These messages falsely claimed that the election calendar had been changed, suggesting Lula supporters should vote on a different date than Bolsonaro supporters.
Entities
André Mendonça · Coligação Brasil Pronto Pra Mais · Flávio Bolsonaro · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Meta · Pablo Marçal · Tribunal Superior Eleitoral
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court ruled that posts claiming Lula 'crumpled' the flag or showed disrespect do not need to be removed as they constitute value judgments. br.paipee.com · www.alagoas24horas.com.br · www.osaogoncalo.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Mendonça ordered social media platforms to remove posts falsely claiming Lula threw the Brazilian flag on the ground. br.paipee.com · www.alagoas24horas.com.br · jovempan.com.br · www.osaogoncalo.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mendonça gave Meta 24 hours to explain how WhatsApp can identify and limit the spread of false audio regarding election dates. www.cnnbrasil.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Minister André Mendonça fined Flávio Bolsonaro R$ 5,000 for irregular boosting of negative campaign content against Lula. portaldiarioderondonia.com · www.acessa.com · portalacontecern.com.br · www.guarulhoshoje.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Flávio Bolsonaro is prohibited from hiring new boosts for content with the same negative messaging against Lula. portaldiarioderondonia.com · www.acessa.com · portalacontecern.com.br · www.guarulhoshoje.com.br