Nikolas Ferreira: Court orders removal of report by ICL Notícias

The Regional Electoral Court of Minas Gerais (TRE-MG) has ordered the news portal ICL Notícias and the company Meta to remove a report concerning Federal Deputy Nikolas Ferreira. The judicial order, issued by Judge Jair Francisco dos Santos, requires the removal of the article and five related social media posts within 24 hours under penalty of a fine.

The dispute centers on the transcription of an audio recording involving Ferreira and businessman Daniel Vorcaro. While the report claimed Ferreira used the term “lindão” (cutie) during a conversation regarding a mining asset, a judicial analysis of the audio concluded that the deputy actually addressed Vorcaro as “Dani”. The judge ruled that the factual inaccuracy in the report could mislead voters and exceeded the limits of the right to information.

ICL Notícias has expressed strong repudiation of the decision, labeling it an act of “censorship” against journalistic activity and press freedom. The outlet argued that the decision was disproportionate, suggesting that any necessary correction should have been limited to the specific incorrect segment rather than resulting in the total removal of the report. The portal intends to appeal the injunction.