Politicians in Brazil Respond to Criticism by Burning Journalist’s House

Brazilian journalist's burned house Criticism by Brazilian journalist Jeso Carneiro to local politicians was answered with fire by those he criticized. Sunday night, July 20, unidentified individuals set fire to the home of Carneiro in Santarém, a city in the northern state of Pará.

Carneiro and his wife were at the beach at the time of the attack but the couple's daughter, her husband and the journalist's mother in law were at home. No one was seriously injured but the house suffered considerable damage. Carneiro said neighbors were able to stop the fire and call the police.

Brazil's Committee to Protect Journalists called on Brazilian authorities to investigate the attack and provide the necessary protection to allow Carneiro to continue working without fear of reprisal.

Two unidentified men on a black Bros motorcycle circled Carneiro's home for several minutes at around 2:30 am on Sunday before stopping in front of the house, witnesses told the local news website Portal na Hora.

A security camera inside the journalist's house filmed one of the men getting off the motorcycle and pouring an unknown liquid on the front walls and roof of the house and setting it on fire, according to local news reports. Witnesses said one of the assailants was injured by the fire before fleeing on the motorcycle with the other man, according to Portal Na Hora.

Carneiro, a reporter for weekly Gazeta de Santarém and local blog Jeso Carneiro (www.jesocarneiro.com), and the host of the daily political interview show "Opinião" on TV Bandeirantes, told CPJ he believes the motivation for the attack was his critical coverage of local politicians. He said he was unable to point out a specific story that could have triggered the attack.

It wasn't the first time Carneiro was victim of an attack. According to him, twice before he suffered this kind of threat. First people tried to set on fire the building of A Gazeta newspaper, which belongs to his brother. Then they set his car on fire.

"We are alarmed by the arson attack against Carneiro's home, which could have turned fatal," said CPJ Americas Program Coordinator Carlos Laurí­a.

"Brazilian authorities must immediately investigate this attack and provide the journalist with the protection he has requested to ensure that he can continue working."

Investigators found a gallon-sized diesel container, a lighter, and a pair of sneakers at the scene, Carneiro told CPJ. Police also took the security tape as part of the investigation. Authorities have not made public further information on the attack.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world.

Tags:

You May Also Like

Sex Time: Brazil Starts Distribution of 25 Million Free Condoms

Brazil’s Ministry of Health reports that it intends to distribute some 25 million condoms ...

How Cardoso Used Marx to Understand Brazilian Slavery

{mosimage}In Capitalismo e Escravidão no Brasil Meridional (Capitalism and Slavery in Southern Brazil), Cardoso ...

Again, World Oil Prices Put a Damp on Brazilian Markets

Brazilian and Latin American stocks dipped, Friday, January 20, as investors fretted over the ...

Brazil’s Vehicle Production Falls 3.7% While Coffee Exports Rise 17%

Compared with December of last year, Brazil’s vehicle production dropped by 3.7% in January. ...

Brazil’s New Middle Class Seems to Be Trapped by Debts and Payment Deadlines

Brazilian economists and sociologists have been warning that the choice by the Brazil government ...

No Indian Candidate, Among 24, Won in Brazil’s October 1st Election

In the elections held on October 1st, in Brazil, five indigenous people ran for ...

Brazil: Grassroots Action Amid Mud Huts

Brazil’s Ministry of Cities’ National Urban Development Policy program (PNDU) has arrived in a ...

In Brazil, Lula Thinks He’s Leading. He’s Being Led.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims that his administration governs for all, ...

The U.S. and Exchange Rates Do Not Scare Brazilian Exporters

Brazilian exports are going to rise despite seasonal factors like exchange rates and the ...