Brazil judge orders Facebook to remove fake news on slain councilwoman

An elderly man lights a candle during a rally against the murder of Brazilian councilwoman and activist Marielle Franco, in Sao Paulo Brazil on March 15, 2018. Brazilians mourned for the Rio de Janeiro councilwoman and outspoken critic of police brutality who was shot in the city center in an assassination-style killing. (AFP PHOTO / Miguel SCHINCARIOL)

RIO DE JANEIRO — A Brazilian judge has given Facebook 24 hours to remove fake news posts about a Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman, who was slain earlier this month.

Judge Jorge Jansen Counago Novelle ordered the removal of “false information with criminal content on councilwoman Marielle Franco, whose memory cannot be disrespected.”

Cesar Bianconi, Facebook’s spokesman in Brazil, said the company would comply with the judge’s order.

After gunmen killed Franco, fake news reports started appearing on Facebook saying she was connected to drug traffickers operating in the slums of Rio.

Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were shot to death in their car as they returned from an event focused on empowering black women. The killing stirred days of demonstrations by people angered over Franco’s death.   /kga