Media associations meet government authorities to discuss security
The day after the death of a cameraman hit by a squib while covering a protest in Rio last Thursday (Feb. 6), representatives from of Brazil's top media associations met with Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo on Tuesday (Feb. 11) in Brasília, to discuss efforts to increase media security. Attendants included representatives from the Brazilian Radio and Television Broadcasters Association (Abert), the National Newspaper Association (ANJ), and the Brazilian Association of Magazine Publishers (ANER).
The minister said the scope of the efforts is beyond protests and must not be understood as an attempt to curtail demonstrations: “Freedom of expression is a core principle of democracy and is covered in the constitution by an eternity clause. But it's unacceptable to use these rights to commit violence against public and private property and – as recently seen – take lives.”
Next Thursday (Feb. 13), Cardozo is meeting with public security secretaries from all states in Aracaju, Sergipe, to discuss efforts to inhibit abuse and violations during protests that could affect journalists or any other professionals.
Proposals include a forum for dialogue with social movements and a common protocol for police action across the states, in order to raise public awareness about what would be the appropriate police approach to deal with demonstrations: “This would empower the communities to recognize police abuses,” said the minister.
According to Cardozo, another group will discuss media security with professional associations, public prosecution representatives, and experts: “The aim is to consider a national policy to secure journalists within and outside of the context of demonstrations. Some of them even get murdered on other occasions. When you think of investigative journalists, for example, there's a lot of trouble they have to face. That's why we want to engage the associations that represent them.” One proposal under consideration is to federalize crimes committed against journalists and the freedom of expression.
Abert chairman Daniel Slaviero cited the aggression against cameraman Santiago Andrade as “a real-life example – the tip of the iceberg – of a trend that has been going on since last year. A trend of hostility against the press, its professionals, and communication media.” He urged a revision of laws applicable to the demonstrators: “Our laws need improving. The current provisions are too poor and fail to address threats and assaults like these.”
According to a report handed to Cardozo by the associations, 175 episodes of violence against journalists and the media were recorded in 2013, including deaths, attempts, assaults, threats, harassment, arrests, and censorship orders. Out of this total, 126 cases occurred during the protests that have been taking place since June throughout the country.
Andrade's death was the first this year, adding up to another six in 2013 – but was the only one so far to have occurred in a street demonstration.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Media associations meet government authorities to discuss security
