13 Sep 11 | Index Index, minipost
Valderlei Canuto Leandro, host of the show Sinal Verde on Radio Frontera, was murdered by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle in Tabatinga, located in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, on 1 September. Local bloggers say Canuto was known for his criticism of local politics. In May, Canuto filed a complaint claiming that Tabatinga’s mayor Samuel Benerguy had threatened him with death for reporting on corruption in the municipality.
07 Sep 11 | Index Index, minipost
A court in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has prohibited media outlets operated by Grupo RBS from publishing the name or image of councilman, Adenir Mengue Webber, who is involved in a public funds scandal. Failure to comply with the ruling could result in a 600 USD-a-day fine. In August 2010, Fantástico, a TV programme, presented a series of reports denouncing trips taken by council members using state funds. The politicians justified the trips, saying they involved training courses. The National Association of Newspapers and the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism both condemned the ruling, saying it violated freedom of expression.
31 Aug 11 | Index Index, minipost
Courts in the Brazilian state of Ceará have blocked access to 140,000 USD in the accounts of Google Brazil after the internet giant refused to take down a series of blogs with content deemed “offensive” toward the mayor of Várzea Alegre. The blogs in question accuse the mayor of corruption and diverting public funds, although no sources have been cited for the accusations. The mayor has reportedly said the blogs’ anonymous messages smear his image.
26 Aug 11 | Index Index, minipost
The Brazilian Superior Court of Justice this week sentenced J.L. Editora, publisher of the newspaper Folha do Espirito Santo, and journalists Jackson Rangel Vieira and Hinger Mansur to pay Judge Camilo José D’Ávila Couto for moral damages. The judge accused the journalists and publisher of publishing articles that distorted facts and contained slanderous content, in which Couto was described as “omnipotent,” “young without experience,” “vindictive,” and “drunk with power.” The judge considered them attacks on his honour, public image and personal integrity.
