New York, May 17, 2004—The Brazilian government dropped its threat on Friday, May 15, to expel New York Times correspondent Larry Rohter, restoring the journalist’s visa. The Ministry of Justice made its decision after receiving a letter from Rohter’s Brazilian lawyers stating that he had not meant to offend Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in an article about the politician’s drinking habits. The letter also expressed regret for any embarrassment the report may have caused.
For more information about this case, please see CPJ’s alerts of May 12, 2004 and May 14, 2004.
