In a gesture that contradicts the stance of President Jair Bolsonaro and his closest allies, the Brazilian government presents a resolution at the UN that recommends states adhere to the “safety of journalists” and that politicians do not attack the press.
The document has been submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council and must be voted on between today and Friday. He is one of the authors of the project, along with Brazil, Austria and other European countries.
Over the past three and a half years, Bolsonaro has attacked journalists, threatened the press, made obscene gestures and made access to information difficult. Last week, his son, Flávio Bolsonaro, tried to censor UOL reports that revealed cash was paid for 51 properties by the president’s family.
His actions caused international organizations to condemn his behavior. He even reiterated some of his basic stances on attacks against women in the media industry during the election campaign.
According to Abraji, the president and his sons have carried out 801 attacks on the press since 2021. According to Reporters Without Borders, 2.8 million posts were made against journalists on social networks in the first month of the election campaign alone, namely in 2022. . . .
But Bolsonaro’s government, far from the playground or social media in Brazil, took a different stance when proposing a resolution at the UN.
In the draft text to be voted on, Brazil and other countries demand “absolute condemnation of all attacks, retaliation and violence against journalists and media workers”.
It also calls on governments around the world to “publicly and openly and systematically condemn violence, intimidation, threats and attacks against journalists and media workers, and refrain from verbally attacking or discrediting journalists or inciting hatred or mistrust towards them.” . journalists”.
In one passage, the draft statement makes a recommendation: “to ask political leaders, public officials, and officials to refrain from defaming, intimidating, or threatening the media, including journalists, or using any language that is misogynistic or discriminates against women journalists, thereby improving the credibility of journalists.” undermining trust and respect for the importance of independent journalism”.
Resolution criticizes attacks on women
The document also condemns “openly specific attacks on women journalists and media workers, online and offline, in relation to their work, such as gender-based discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence, threats, intimidation and harassment”. In Brazil, Bolsonaro focused a significant portion of his attacks on journalists such as Vera Magalhães or Patrícia Campos Mello.
The text also “strongly condemns the impunity for attacks and violence against journalists and is deeply concerned that the vast majority of these crimes go unpunished, which contributes to the repetition of these crimes.”
incorrect information
Despite the disinformation machine that has taken over Bolsonaro’s allies, the Brazilian government cites its “concern about the spread of disinformation and propaganda, including on the Internet,” in the text. According to the text, such actions may be “designed and carried out to deceive, violate human rights, including the rights to privacy and freedom of expression, and to spread hatred, racism, xenophobia, negative stereotypes or stigma, and incite violence, discrimination and hostility.” and highlights the important contribution of journalists in tackling this trend”.
It is important for the group of countries to “provide a conducive environment for the work of non-governmental organizations because they play a vital role in enhancing the safety and protection of journalists and media workers”.
Given this situation, Brazil and other countries are urging the international community to establish mechanisms to protect and prevent journalists from attacks. Authorities are also asked to open an investigation into the perpetrators of the attacks.
The draft also recommends that governments create special investigative units to investigate threats against journalists and even appoint an expert prosecutor.
tracing
The government also recommends that states refrain from “interfering with the use of technologies such as encryption and anonymity tools, and using illegal or arbitrary surveillance techniques, including hacking.”
In 2021, the column revealed how Bolsonaro’s sons tried to acquire spying and cell phone hacking technologies.
Moreover, the text urges governments to “collaborate” with journalists and civil society organizations to “assess the damage the COVID-19 pandemic has done and is still doing on the provision of vital information to the public and the sustainability of the media”. If possible, consider establishing appropriate mechanisms to provide financial support to the media, including local journalism and investigative journalism, and ensuring that support is provided without compromising editorial independence.”
At the height of the epidemic, the Ministry of Health’s information disruption caused the Brazilian press to establish its own number of covid-19 cases and deaths.
source: Noticias
