Brazil's move raises issue of freedom of speech

Mr Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greeting supporters at a rally in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Feb 21. Mr da Silva is a frontrunner in the presidential polls and also reportedly the leading target of negative fake news stories.
Mr Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greeting supporters at a rally in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Feb 21. Mr da Silva is a frontrunner in the presidential polls and also reportedly the leading target of negative fake news stories. PHOTO: REUTERS
Charissa Yong
US Correspondent
Updated
Mar 18, 2018, 09:03 AM
Published
Mar 18, 2018, 05:00 AM
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Brazil is determined to curb the spread of fake news in the run-up to its presidential and general elections in October. However, its solution has been criticised as oppressing freedom of speech and invading individual privacy.

A task force has been set up by federal police to identify and punish authors of fabricated news that is pro or anti election candidates.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 18, 2018, with the headline Brazil's move raises issue of freedom of speech. Subscribe

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