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What with threats and physical attacks, Brazil continues to be an especially violent country for the media, and many journalists have been killed in connection with their work. In most cases, these reporters, radio hosts, bloggers or information providers of other kinds were covering stories linked to corruption, public policy or organized crime in small or mid-sized cities, where they are more vulnerable. Jair Bolsonaro’s election as president in October 2018 after a campaign marked by hate speech, disinformation, violence against journalists and contempt for human rights has ushered in a particularly dark era for democracy and press freedom in Brazil. President Bolsonaro, his family and several members of his government constantly insult and humiliate some of the country’s leading journalists and media outlets, feeding a climate of hate and suspicion towards journalism in Brazil. Media ownership continues to be very concentrated, especially in the hands of big business families that are often closely linked to the political class. The confidentiality of journalists’ sources is under constant attack and many investigative reporters have been subjected to abusive judicial proceedings.



