Brazilian politicians sued for media misuse and defamation

The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) filed a civil public action against Caxias do Sul councilor Hiago Morandi (PL), accusing him of exploiting people experiencing homelessness by recording videos of their conditions and posting them on social media to boost his political profile. The MPF seeks a collective moral‑damage award of at least R$ 500 000, arguing that the practice reinforced stigma, dehumanised a vulnerable group and included instances of physical aggression. The Ministry says any compensation should be directed to projects assisting the homeless population in the city.

Separately, the Federal District Court ordered federal deputy Gustavo Gayer (PL‑GO) to pay R$ 20 000 in moral damages to the national executive of the Workers’ Party (PT) and to remove a social‑media post that falsely linked the PT to the 2018 attack on then‑presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. The judge ruled that parliamentary immunity did not protect the deputy because the statement was made outside the legislative sphere and constituted the dissemination of false information.