Fake news inquiry: remember decisions that marked the investigation under the report of Moraes at the STF

Opened 7 years ago to investigate attacks, threats and fake news against the Federal Supreme Court (STF), the so-called fake news inquiry has accumulated, over the years, decisions that expanded the scope of the investigation and generated controversies inside and outside the Court.

Reported by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the process returned to the center of debate this week, amid the internal crisis at the STF and the discussion about closing the investigation.

In April 2019, Moraes ordered the removal of the report "My father's friend's friend", published by Crusoé magazine and reproduced by the website O Antagonista. The decision generated a strong reaction from press entities and legal experts, who classified it as prior censorship.

Days later, the decision was revoked. To this day, this episode is often cited as one of the most controversial moments of the inquiry.

The investigation was also used to block influencers' accounts on social networks and determine searches, seizures and breaches of confidentiality.

The investigation led to the blocking of social media accounts, searches and seizures and breaches of confidentiality of several political influencers and activists.

Among the best-known cases were investigations against Allan dos Santos, Oswaldo Eustáquio and other influencers linked to former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

In this report, remember episodes that marked the investigation:

Deputy arrest

In 2021, then federal deputy Daniel Silveira was arrested after releasing a video threatening STF ministers and defending authoritarian measures against the Court.

Although the process that resulted in the conviction followed its own path, the investigation originated in the context of investigations related to the fake news investigation and its consequences.

Source secrecy

More recently, another case that gained relevance was that of journalist Luís Pablo, a journalist who maintains a blog in Maranhão and who published reports on the alleged use of an official vehicle linked to the Court of Justice of Maranhão by minister Flávio Dino and his family.

He ended up being the target of a search and seizure authorized by Alexandre de Moraes as part of the investigation.

The investigation mentions suspicions of persecution ("stalking") and illegal monitoring of authorities.

Investigation against party

Another case that gained repercussion, in 2022, was that of the Workers' Cause Party (PCO).

The acronym came under investigation in the inquiry after publishing harsh criticisms against STF ministers, especially Alexandre de Moraes.

The party even had social media profiles suspended by court order.

Ministers' data leaks

It was also within the fake news investigation that Moraes began investigating access and leaks of confidential tax data from STF ministers and their families.

The PF even carried out search and seizure warrants against public servants in three states.

Moraes also decreed the breach of bank secrecy of those being investigated with the aim of discovering whether the information was being sold.