Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Flávio Bolsonaro pledges to dismantle government anti-disinformation bodies
Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator running for president in Brazil, says his government program would reduce what he calls censorship.
It proposes dismantling or changing government bodies and measures created under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to combat disinformation.
Flávio’s campaign has also asked Brazil’s electoral court to remove or block online content linked to Lula.
The court briefly ordered the removal of a WhatsApp channel run by lawmaker André Janones after Flávio’s request, but a court official later reversed that order.
Flávio’s campaign says it supports free expression and opposes fake news and disinformation when addressed within the law.
The campaign calls some government initiatives a “Ministry of Truth,” while critics of the proposed approach may see a tension between the pledge to curb censorship and the requests to restrict opponents’ content.
The campaign says details of any changes would be decided during a transition and the government, with technical teams, the public and Congress involved.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s government program promises to dismantle or change bodies created under the current government to combat disinformation.
The program also says it would revoke decrees introduced by the current government in this area.
The campaign says some measures will be defined during a transition period and throughout a possible government.
The pledge contrasts with campaign efforts to remove or block online content from accounts aligned with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
- Who
- Flávio Bolsonaro, a senator and presidential candidate from the PL party.
- What
- His government program promises to dismantle or change anti-disinformation bodies and revoke related government decrees.
- When
- The program was registered with Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- His program describes the government initiatives as a “Ministry of Truth” and says no government should control public debate.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
Current government anti-disinformation initiatives
Purpose
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
The campaign says it supports freedom of expression and opposes government control of public debate.
Current government anti-disinformation initiatives
The initiatives were created to combat disinformation, including false claims about public health and immunization.
Future
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign
The campaign says it plans to dismantle or change some bodies and revoke decrees.
Current government anti-disinformation initiatives
The bodies and measures are part of the current government’s efforts to combat disinformation.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign filed a request with the Superior Electoral Court to block 32 accounts aligned with Lula, alleging they were spreading fake news.
The court’s president ordered the WhatsApp channel “Exército do Lula” taken offline following a request from Flávio.
The court’s chief inspector reversed the decision to take down the channel.
- Candidate
- Flávio Bolsonaro, of the PL party
- Bodies under review
- National Union Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of Democracy; Secretariat of Digital Policies; National Secretariat for Digital Rights
- Other initiatives at risk
- Committee to Combat Disinformation; “Brasil contra Fake” channel
- Profiles targeted
- 32 accounts aligned with Lula
- Court officials
- Kassio Nunes Marques ordered the channel’s removal; Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva reversed the order
What people are saying
defends freedom of expression and thought as fundamental and non-negotiable rights of democracy, as well as combating fake news and disinformation crimes within the law
Unlike the PT and Lula, who support greater state control over the press, the internet and digital platforms, no government can own the truth, control public debate or punish those who think differently
Sources
Related news
Brazil’s election court orders removal of misleading video about Lula rally
Lawyer Nelson Martins, father of Justice Cristiano Zanin, dies at 90
Erika Hilton says PSOL made a strategic error and may leave in 2027
Lula gains among Brazil’s richest, while Flávio Bolsonaro advances across income groups
Young man shot 27 times by police in São Paulo; officers taken off street duty
Lula campaign accuses Meta of limiting its posts before Brazil runoff
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro attend Masses honoring Brazil’s patron saint
Family seeks answers after BOPE officer dies in gunfire exchange with police
Marina Silva criticizes bolsonarismo in post about children
Farmers threaten to invade Indigenous land in Pará if Flávio Bolsonaro wins
Brazil plans to open new wings at Rio’s Bonsucesso Federal Hospital
