MARCH 15, 2005 Posted: March 22, 2005 Leonel Lacerda, RBS TV Éverton Machado, RBS TV ATTACKED, HARASSED Four unidentified men harassed reporter Lacerda and cameraman Machado while they were covering a farmers’ protest against the state government near the town of Sarandi, in southern Rio Grande do Sul state. The men also burned the journalists’…
Overview by Carlos Lauría Journalists throughout the Americas came under increased attack in 2004 for reporting on political corruption, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Although democratic rights have been expanding in the region, press freedom has not always improved as a result.
Brazil A proposed bill to regulate the press, as well as the attempted expulsion of a New York Times correspondent, highlighted the growing tension between the Brazilian media and the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula. In August, the government submitted a controversial bill to Congress that would have regulated…
New York, January 25, 2005—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the January 21 attack and death threats against Brazilian journalist Lúcio Flávio Pinto, who is based in the city of Belém, in the northern state of Pará. Pinto, the publisher and editor of the small bimonthly Jornal Pessoal, said he was at a restaurant having…
JANUARY 21, 2005 Posted: February 2, 2005 Lúcio Flávio Pinto, Jornal Pessoal ATTACKED Pinto, the publisher and editor of the small bimonthly Jornal Pessoal in the city of Belém, in the northern state of Pará, said he was at a restaurant having lunch with friends on Friday, January 21, when Ronaldo Maiorana, a businessman and…
New York, August 20, 2004—The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly opposes a bill to regulate journalists in Brazil, a measure Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sent to Congress this month. “This government-sponsored proposal severely restricts the right to freedom of expression,” said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper. “Journalism must not be guided by…
New York, July 14, 2004—Radio owner and host Jorge Lourenço dos Santos was killed on Sunday, July 11, in Alagoas State in northeastern Brazil. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is investigating whether the slaying was related to his work as a journalist. Dos Santos was killed at about 7:30 p.m. outside his home in…
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…