Far-Right Evangelical Media Empire Exploited to Investigate Journalists Critical of Bolsonaro

Edir Macedo, the founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, has built a media empire that includes the second-largest television network in Brazil, Record TV, and online platforms such as R7. As a prominent far-right evangelical leader and outspoken supporter of Jair Bolsonaro, Macedo’s influence has expanded in recent years, particularly as Bolsonaro’s political prospects have grown. This alignment has raised concerns about the use of Macedo’s media outlets to target journalists who criticize Bolsonaro or his movement.

The Intercept, a U.S.-based news outlet, has been a consistent critic of Bolsonaro and his allies. In October 2018, the publication released an exposé in Portuguese detailing how journalists at R7, one of Macedo’s online platforms, are effectively “hostages” to the owner’s agenda. The article, written by Brazilian journalist Leandro Demori, was based on anonymous accounts from R7 staff who described being pressured to avoid publishing negative stories about Bolsonaro and to prioritize Macedo’s political interests over journalistic integrity. The piece went viral in Brazil and became one of the most widely read Intercept articles of the year.

In response to the Intercept’s reporting, Luciana Barcelos, the longtime chief of Record TV’s flagship news program, resigned. Her departure followed the publication of the article, which highlighted the growing tension between Macedo’s media empire and journalists who report critically on Bolsonaro and his movement. The timing of the resignations and the Intercept’s reporting suggests a coordinated effort to suppress dissenting voices within Macedo’s media network.

The Intercept has a long history of investigative journalism in Brazil, including critical coverage of Bolsonaro even before he gained national prominence. In 2014, the outlet described Bolsonaro as “the most misogynistic, hateful democratic official in the democratic world” after he made a sexist and violent comment toward a female colleague in Congress. The publication has continued to report on Bolsonaro’s controversial statements and actions, including his use of derogatory language toward LGBTQ+ individuals.

The use of Macedo’s media outlets to investigate and intimidate journalists who criticize Bolsonaro raises questions about the independence of the press in Brazil. As Bolsonaro’s political influence grows, the potential for media outlets to be used as tools of political control becomes more apparent. This situation underscores the importance of a free press in holding power accountable, as emphasized in Proverbs 18:17, which states that “the first to present his case seems right, but the one who argues his case last is considered wise.”

Source: Read the original report