Orlando Silva says he will resume negotiations to approve Fake News PL after recess

Representative Orlando Silva (PCdoB-SP), rapporteur of PL 2,630/2020 – called “PL das Fake News” or “PL da Censura” – stated this Thursday (28) that he will resume negotiations on his opinion on the proposal after the legislative recess. The text has been stuck in the Chamber since the beginning of May, when the rapporteur requested the postponement of the analysis. The proposal collects criticism from politicians, journalists, jurists and big techs.

“[O projeto] will be a topic of conversation after the recess,” the deputy told the portal Power360. He did not detail which sections could be changed in the Fake News PL. The Chamber resumes work in February. Among the main negative points highlighted in the proposal are the possibility of forcing platforms to be more proactive in taking down content; the handing over of the monopoly of truth to the State; the privilege granted to major press vehicles; the lack of openness of proposals to public debate.

Recent episodes on social media have led government officials to push for the approval of the “Fake News PL”, as occurred on the 11th, after first lady Rosangela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, had her account hacked on the social network On this occasion, the first lady’s profile began publishing a series of posts insulting herself and against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). The Federal Police investigate the case.

Furthermore, the death of Jéssica Vitória Canedo, 22 years old, who allegedly committed suicide after being the victim of lies spread about her on social media by gossip pages, reignited discussions about the regulation of social media. However, the Fake News PL, despite the name as it is known, does not define rules in case of dissemination of false news, highlighted the former deputy and former Lava Jato prosecutor, Deltan Dallagnol, in his column on People’s Gazette.

“The latest available version of the Fake News Bill provides for the liability of platforms only when they fail to moderate content that falls within the following crimes: crimes against the Democratic Rule of Law, acts of terrorism, induction or instigation of suicide or self-mutilation, against children and adolescents, racism, violence against women and related to health violations. There is no provision for punishment or prevention for defamation crimes such as those committed against Jéssica”, highlighted Dallagnol.

The reporter himself received a check on the social network X when talking about the project after Janja’s profile was hacked. In the publication, Orlando Silva stated: “The regulation of digital platforms is a civilizing agenda. All economic and social sectors have rules. Social networks cannot have immunity to cover up criminals, nor is it ‘censorship’ to combat illegal acts. Approving PL 2630 must be a priority. PL 2630 YES!”

The post then received the following check: “PL 2630 does not contain any mention of hacker attacks, therefore the approval of the PL would not change anything in the case of the first lady”. The statement directs to the link to the bill itself, in the Chamber of Deputies.