Front-runner in Brazil poll 'set up fake news network'

Friday 19 October 2018
Tom Nesdale
October 19 2018 2:30 AM


Brazil's far-right election front-runner was accused of setting up a 'criminal network' with big businesses to spread fake news through WhatsApp.

Brazilian media reported that well-heeled supporters of Jair Bolsonaro paid for messaging by third-party agencies, each paying up to 12 million reais (€2.8m) to spread tens of thousands of attack ads.

Leftist opponent Fernando Haddad, who trails by 18 points, denounced the practice revealed by newspaper 'Folha de S.Paulo', accusing Mr Bolsonaro of flouting campaign laws by creating "a veritable criminal organisation with businessmen who are using undeclared money to pay for false messages on WhatsApp".

Mr Bolsonaro's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

More:
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/frontrunner-in-brazil-poll-set-up-fake-news-network-37436441.html