Rallygoers
People rally in support of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of the presidential runoff election in Rio de Janeiro, on October 12, 2026. (Photo: AP/Bruna Prado)

CPJ, partners warn about Brazil’s election and its impacts on press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined Reporters Without Borders and other eight press freedom organizations in a statement on how the Brazilian presidential election could affect press freedom in the country. The first round was on October 4, and the October 25 runoff will feature the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Flávio Bolsonaro.

According to the statement, the second-round results could either consolidate progress in the protection of journalism or lead to setbacks that threaten press freedom and democracy.

The signatories call for “protecting recent gains, preventing the state from being used against journalists, and creating the conditions for pluralistic, independent, and sustainable journalism.”

Read the full statement in Portuguese here.