The Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger, Wellington Dias, said that the Federal Police is already seeking to identify the origin of false news, disseminated with the aim of confusing or manipulating beneficiaries of federal government social programs.
Dias was interviewed on the program Good morning, Minister this Thursday (29), produced by Brazilian Communication Company (EBC).
During the interview, the minister confirmed that rumors and fake news have been spread on the internet, especially on social networks, warning about supposed changes to rules or the creation of new conditionalities that would be implemented in programs such as Bolsa Família.
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Disservice
Recently, a fake news warning that Bolsa Família would only continue to be paid to people with children. This type of “disservice”, according to the minister, tends to intensify in election years, as is the case in 2026.
“There is no conditionality in the sense of encouraging [os beneficiários] to have a child. This is crazy! In addition to not being true, it is prejudice [contra quem recebe o benefício]”, said the minister when guaranteeing that there was no such change, nor new restrictions related to the program.
According to Dias, anyone who spreads lies like this, which have the potential to harm beneficiaries, in addition to having a lot of evil in their hearts, is committing a crime.
“There’s no other word. It’s evil people committing crimes. It’s not just a fake news. This is a crime.”
“Imagine Dona Maria, aged 70, hearing [o boato de] who will no longer have the right [ao Bolsa Família] just because she doesn’t have a child. A situation like this can lead to a woman having a heart attack. That’s why we’re going to prioritize fighting this crime,” he argued.
In this sense, the minister added, the program’s federal inspection network was activated “in the very first moments”, after receiving the complaint. The network mentioned by the minister also includes the participation of the Federal Police.
Reports of irregularities such as this can be made via MDS’ Hotline 121. The call is free and can be made from any telephone device.
“The PF is already in the field. No matter who it hurts, we will find whoever is doing this disservice”, guaranteed Wellington Dias.
According to him, the investigation is being carried out under secrecy for now. “But I believe that we will quickly have the first results, as we have proof of the crime.”
People’s Gas
During the program, in which guests answer questions asked by various broadcasters that are part of the National Radio Network, the minister received a complaint from a broadcaster in Alagoas regarding the irregular collection of fees for beneficiaries of the Gás do Povo program.
According to the radio host, fees of up to R$30 were being charged to beneficiaries in the state. The minister reinforced the importance of these cases being reported on channel 121.
“Without a report, we have nothing to do. I repeat: the number 121 is where you have to call in situations like this. This helps us reach the criminals”, said Wellington Dias, assuring that he will immediately activate the inspection, to investigate this specific complaint presented during Bom Dia, Minister.
