The Regional Electoral Court overturned on Thursday (10) the governor and reelection candidate Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans)' attempt to censor social media posts by state deputy and reelection candidate Maurici (PT), who presents data onthe R$ 63.9 billion exemption given by the state of São Paulo to large corporations..
Judge Domitila Manssur reversed her own decision that had partially accepted the governor's injunction, which requested the removal of the post and the right to reply. Manssur had granted an injunction requiring the social media provider to remove the content, subject to a daily fine of R$ 5,000, but had not addressed the merits. Last week, the judge adopted the state public prosecutor's opinion of September 4, which requested a review of the decision.
"Ideological disagreement and negative valuation of privatisations do not constitute personal offense remediable through the narrow route of the right to reply. Therefore, given the finding that the published material arises from the legitimate exercise of freedom of criticism on verifiable and public facts, it is incumbent to revoke the injunction order and declare the claim unmerited, ensuring the cleanliness of the electoral debate and the freedom of the elector to form his convictions," the judge wrote in her decision.
The deputy's post is a carousel published on social media with the title "The Secret List ofTarcísio de Freitas", detailing the governor's relationship with large corporations, exemptions, and the State Accounting Court's opinion, which states that 31 of the companies are registered in the Union's active debt and that only 1% of the registered companies account for approximately 80% of all benefits granted. The post was reinstated.
This is the second censorship attempt against Maurici's post, which was published in October 2025.
For lawyer Michel Bertoni Soares, from Maurici's campaign, the decision attests that the piece is grounded in newspaper news and “are typical of democratic debate”.
O Brazil de FatoBrazil de FactBrazil de Fato contacted the governor's campaign but, as of now, has not received a response. Any new position, the text will be updated.