Federal Government orders investigation to punish ‘fake news industry’ about disaster in RS – Country

A Federal Police and the Federal Attorney General’s Office will work to investigate, identify and hold accountable people who have disclosed fake news related to saving the population of Rio Grande do Sul. The state has 80% of its municipalities flooded due to the rains recorded in the last ten days, while many are mobilizing to carry out rescues and donations.

The determination of the investigation was made by the Federal Government. The Minister of the Secretariat of Social Communication, Paulo Pimenta, sent a letter to the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, requesting the investigation.

“There are people working 24 hours a day, four days without sleeping. People putting their lives at risk risk to save people. Meanwhile, there is a fake news industry fed by parliamentarians, by influencers, by people who are dedicated to disrupting the effort being made to save lives”, said Paulo Pimenta.

According to the minister, fake news is hindering the rescue work carried out in the state, whether by government forces or volunteers. “That’s why I’m going to notify the Federal Police, the AGU, asking that an investigation be opened, asking that the authors of the lies and dissimulation be identified”, he reinforced.

Also on Tuesday (7), the military commander of the South, General Hertz Pires do Nascimento, reported the impact of the spread of fake news on security operations. rescue during a meeting in the situation room set up by the Federal Government.

According to him, lies were recorded about donation retention, oxygen transport, situations involving hospitals. The government’s fear is that the news will cause more apprehension to the fragile population.

The Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, determined that the Attorney General’s Office (AGU) and the Ministry of Justice (MJ) act to do what is necessary regarding the investigation of the cases. Furthermore, Minister Jorge Messias, from AGU, informed that a team has already been mobilized and the digital platforms must be notified.