The issue has been discussed since the 2021 election and has become increasingly important in the failed process of drafting a new Constitution to replace the one imposed in 1980 by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990).

However, a journalistic investigation by the CHV channel revealed for the first time the specific procedures and identities of those allegedly behind these practices.

One of them, Ricardo Inaiman, the operator of one of the master accounts used to spread false information, claimed that he was simply exercising his right to freedom of expression. Another criminal is Patricio Gongora, a member of the board of directors of Channel 13 television, which has nationwide coverage.

Frequent targets of these campaigns are presidential candidates Evelyn Matthei, from the traditional right-wing coalition Chile Vamos, and Jeannette Jara, from the government’s pact of left-wing, progressive, and social-democratic parties, plus the Christian Democrats.

Jara stated this Thursday that “the CHV report confirmed something extremely serious: bot manipulation is no longer a suspicion; it’s a reality that damages democracy.”

The document, read by spokesperson Camila Vallejo, states that debate and free expression are part of democracy, but lies and orchestrated hatred on social media undermine them, and it is necessary for those targeted to speak out on the issue.

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