Brazil
Senator Confiscates Journalist’s Tape RecorderPosted Apr 27 2011
The Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas blogged about a freedom of the press issue that transpired in Brazil. A journalist for Radio Bandeirantes, Victor Boyadjian, had his tape recorder confiscated after asking a question to Senator Roberto Requião on his $15,000 a month pension. TVI 24 reports that the senator deemed the question as “inconvenient.” O Globo reports that the reporter had his tape recorder forcefully taken from him.
After the incident, Boyadjian went to the Federal Police in order to file a complaint against the senator, saying that he had suffered a threat of a physical attack.
O Globo reports Senator Requião discussed his reasoning for taking away the tape recorder with the national press after a senate meeting. Senator Requião said that he lost his temper after being asked a question about the pension he receives as an ex-governor. He also said that he took away the recorder in order for the statements to not be misconstrued during the editing process, but that he now will have the interview published in its entirety.
Many journalists and press organizations around the country were angered by the restrictions placed among journalists. Emanuel Carneiro Soares, the president of the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television (OPEN) said in a statement, “It is unacceptable that public […] occupants intend to restrict the free practice of journalism.” The National Newspaper Association (ANJ) also found the actions regrettable.