The Brazilian group scanning WhatsApp for disinformation in run-up to elections
(The Guardian Brazil)

When a story goes viral, Comprova assigns it to a journalist to investigate if it is fake or notVoting machines rigged by Venezuela; suspicious connections with George Soros; elderly conservatives beaten up by leftwing activists; a candidate´s name spelled out in huge letters across a soy field - these are just a few of the viral WhatsApp and Facebook posts that have been investigated by Comprova, an initiative to fight misinformation in the run-up to Brazil´s presidential elections on 7 October.All of the above were deemed `deceitful` - except the soy field, which, to the surprise of the debunkers, turned out to be true. Related: Bolsonaro could drag Brazil back into dictatorship, cultural legends warn Related: Jailed leftwing leader Lula drops out of Brazil presidential race Continue reading...