President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government published an ordinance on Thursday (9) instituting the National Protocol for Investigating Crimes Against Journalists. The document strengthens investigation mechanisms, including requiring bulletins of occurrence to note links to journalistic activity. It was announced at a ceremony in the Palácio do Planalto on Tuesday (7).
The protocol, developed by the Observatory of Violence Against Journalists and Social Communicators, sets a national standard for Brazil's Unified Public Security System. Key changes include requiring bulletins of occurrence to specify links to journalism, with immediate notification to the competent police station and the observatory. It stresses immediate victim protection, for families and workplaces, and inter-institutional cooperation.
The National Secretariat of Public Security, under the Ministry of Justice, will monitor implementation and issue annual reports. The launch ceremony, on Journalists' Day, featured Ministers Wellington Cesar (Justice), Sidônio Palmeira (Social Communication), and Janine Mello (Human Rights), along with Presidential Press Secretary Laércio Portela and civil society representatives. President Lula was absent, and Sidônio Palmeira left early without speaking.
Justice Minister Wellington Cesar noted that violence against journalists has a gender bias and tied the protocol to the Federal Pact Against Femicide, launched in February. It was crafted with groups like ANJ, Artigo 19, Repórteres Sem Fronteiras, Abert, Fenaj, and Abraji. The government also announced the Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira Journalism Contest for environmental defense, indigenous peoples, and traditional communities.
The measure aims to align Brazil with international press protection standards.
