Chamber President Hugo Motta denied any intent to censor journalists during the forcible removal of Deputy Glauber Braga (PSOL-RJ) from the Board of Directors chair on December 9, as covered in prior reports on his suspension. In a statement on December 11, Motta expressed regret for disruptions to media professionals and pledged an investigation into excesses.
Following the chaotic December 9 incident—where Braga refused to vacate the presidency chair, leading to his removal by legislative police, session suspension, media eviction, and broadcast interruption—and the subsequent six-month mandate suspension voted on December 10, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), president of the Chamber of Deputies, addressed press freedom concerns on Thursday, December 11.
Motta's statement clarified that media removal followed 2020 safety protocols amid tumult and aggressions. The TV Câmara cutoff at 17:28 was attributed to an automatic switch after session suspension at 17:42, with no video footage available as only parliamentarians accessed the scene.
"I regret the disruptions caused to communication professionals and reaffirm that there was no intention to limit journalistic activity," Motta said. He criticized Braga's conduct for hindering legislative work and announced an inquiry into any excesses by security or others.
The episode prompted condemnations from Fenaj, Abraji, and ANJ as a threat to press freedom. The Chamber reiterated its commitment to transparency amid ongoing scrutiny of the disciplinary process against Braga, stemming originally from an assault on an MBL militant.
