Choquei’s profile confesses to fake news that led to the death of a young man

The profile of entertainment and political activism I shocked confessed this Thursday (28) that she shared false news that would have led Jéssica Vitória Canedo, aged 22, to commit suicide. The profile, which has more than 27 million followers on social media, admitted to having replicated false content about supposed conversations that indicated involvement between the young woman and comedian Whindersson Nunes. In new note released this Thursday, the I shocked stated that the person responsible for the page, Raphael Sousa, gave a statement to the Civil Police about the case.

“Evidence was provided about the generator of the fake news – which was originally published by another profile and later republished by Choquei – and images of dialogues were made available showing the procedures adopted as soon as the falsehood was discovered, such as the immediate removal of the false content republished”, says the statement.

Despite what was alleged in the note, a few minutes after posting on the social network . “It’s a lie that the Choquei page immediately removed the post upon learning it was a lie. The page kept the post up for days, even with a Community Note warning about fake news”, says the checking.

On Saturday (23), the profile had published a first note about the case on its Instagram profile, signed by lawyer Adélia Prado. At the time, the page stated that there was “no irregularity in the dissemination of the information provided”. However, on the same day, the lawyer left the case and said that she would not represent the I shocked judicially.

“The profile I shocked, through its legal advice, clarifies to its followers and friends that there was no irregularity in the dissemination of the information provided by this profile. It should be clarified that there is no responsibility to be attributed for the acts carried out, given the action in good faith and regular compliance with the proposed activities”, said the first statement, which was later deleted.

In the new statement, the profile repositioned itself and said it was undergoing “a profound process of internal reassessment of the methods adopted with a view to implementing filters and codes of conduct to prevent episodes of this nature from happening again”. In the note, the company goes so far as to say that it is available to “collaborate in improving the online news sector”.

Young woman reported attacks and was mocked by the owner of the store I shocked

After having her name linked to the comedian, Jéssica used her social networks to denounce the attacks she had been suffering. “You are talking about my appearance, my social class, cursing my family, threatening, calling me a gold digger, comparing me with his exes… You don’t know what the psychological state of those who are receiving the insults and threats are like,” he said. the young woman on Instagram.

The person responsible for I shocked, Raphael Sousa, even commented on the publication made by Jéssica and made a joke about the outburst posted by the young woman. “Tell her that the Enem essay has already passed. For the love of God!”, said Sousa. Posts about the case were deleted. Jéssica’s mother even appealed for the attacks on her daughter to stop and stated that the young woman suffered from depression.

On the 24th, Whindersson Nunes mourned the young woman’s death and proposed the creation of the Jéssica Vitória Law to regulate profiles on social networks. “May this law bring a civil or criminal sanction to that person who posts a conversation, even a public one, without going after the veracity of the facts. Those who will be held responsible are those who are at the top of the pyramid and make money from it”, highlighted the comedian.

Owner of I shocked has already disseminated fake news to favor the Lula government

Raphael Sousa is close to First Lady Rosângela Silva, known as Janja. After the results of the elections last year, he received an invitation from her to climb into the official sound car of Lula’s team and follow the PT’s victory speech. Janja, who since the election period has been working closely with left-wing influencers to support the government, even sent exclusive content to the I shocked during the electoral dispute.

With the dissemination of news on social media with a clear pro-Lula editorial bias, Raphael Sousa contributed greatly to the PT campaign. During the election period, the account was always among those with the greatest impact on electoral issues.

In an interview with Flow Podcast last year, the owner of the page acknowledged that his actions helped elect the current president and stated that all employees of the I shocked they were pro-Lula, but that the work to support the PT member had to do with the fact that the influencer was against Bolsonaro.

Despite this, the profile owner became closer to the president after the start of the new term and maintains the government’s defense crusade on the internet at any cost, which includes the dissemination of pro-Lula fake news, as shown by People’s Gazette.

See the new profile note in full:

“The Choquei profile deeply regrets what happened to Jéssica Vitória Canedo and sympathizes with her family. We inform our followers that, as a sign of respect for the tragic event, Choquei’s networks were paralyzed until now. This Thursday, December 28th, the owner of the profile provided clarifications to the Civil Police of Minas Gerais and presented facts and documents that contribute to clarifying the episode and giving the real dimension of Choquei’s role in the case.

Evidence was provided about the generator of the fake news – which was originally published by another profile and later republished by Choquei – and images of dialogues were made available showing the procedures adopted as soon as the falsehood was discovered, such as the immediate removal of the republished false content

At this moment, Choquei is going through a profound process of internal reassessment of the methods adopted with a view to implementing filters and codes of conduct to prevent episodes of this nature from happening again. Choquei is available to contribute to investigative bodies, as well as to collaborate to improve the online news sector. We reiterate our solidarity and full support for Jéssica Vitória Canedo’s family.”