Brazilian Association for Investigative Journalism

Brazil’s Secretary of Human Rights, Maria do Rosário, has announced proposals to increase the safety of journalists, recommendations that came out of a final report on violence against media professionals by a working group, of which the Brazilian Association for Investigative Journalism (Abraji) has been a part.

On Monday February 10, 2014, Santiago Andrade, a Brazilian cameraman, was confirmed dead after suffering injuries to his head inflicted by an explosive, while covering a demonstration in Rio de Janeiro against the raising of transportation fees.

Two people accused of the 2012 murder of Brazilian journalist and blogger Décio Sá were convicted and sent to prison on 4 February 2014, in Maranhão state. Sá had allegedly discovered a local fraud scam and was going to disclose details of it on his blog, before he was killed.

IFEX members call on Brazil’s Congress to promptly pass the Marco Civil bill and on President Roussef to ensure its due implementation, as a measure to protect the right of Brazilians to an Internet that is free and open to all.

Abraji (Brazilian Association for Investigative Journalism) has recorded 21 cases of violations against 20 media professionals during the protests that took place on September 7th, 2013 (Independence Day). The police were responsible for 85% of the aggressions – 18 cases – mostly in the use of pepper spray.

According to Minas Gerais police officials, Alessandro Neves Augusto (known as Pitote) is the person behind the murders of crime reporter Rodrigo Neto de Faria and photographer Walgney Carvalho, which occurred in March and April 2013.

Over 30 IFEX members express concern at a set of proposals put forth by the government of Ecuador and due to be discussed on 8 March in Ecuador that seek to reform the OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.

Investigative reporter and Abraji director Mauri König received threats and a warning that his home was to be targeted by policemen using machine guns.