TSE keeps Tabet's post Dino closes the STF case

Sep 30

The report says the TSE's seven ministers unanimously upheld removal of posts directly associating Flávio Bolsonaro with an alleged plan to remove Nossa Senhora Aparecida's patron-saint status. A majority allowed Antônio Tabet's post to remain. André Mendonça changed his position on that post, considering its wording ambiguous and saying reasonable doubt should favor expression, while retaining removal of directly attributed claims. Lawyer Julio Leone describes an evenhanded anti-disinformation rationale for protecting all candidates. The account also explains Tabet's Supreme Court appeal and reports that Flávio Dino ordered it archived that day because the new TSE decision made the dispute moot.

On September 30, the TSE began a virtual plenary review of orders removing posts linking Flávio Bolsonaro to an alleged plan to change Brazil's patron saint. TV Brasil's September 30 report described three supporting votes and Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva's partial dissent in favor of excluding Tabet's unnamed post; that report aired before the session's scheduled 23:59 end and did not establish a final result. By TV Brasil's October 1 report, all seven ministers had upheld removal of directly attributed claims, while a majority allowed Tabet's post to remain. André Mendonça changed his position on that ambiguous post, saying reasonable doubt should favor expression, while retaining removal of the direct claims. Lawyer Julio Leone described an evenhanded anti-disinformation rationale. The separate Supreme Court appeal's October 1 moot dismissal is tracked as its own occurrence.