<p>Em carta enviada ao Presidente Lula no dia 23, o CLI chama a atenção para casos de ataques à imprensa no Brasil dezembro passado, ressaltando o bom momento que o país passa, com crescimento econômico e o Rio como sede das olimpíadas, e como a imprensa livre é central para essas conquistas<br /><br />O presidente Lula recebeu no dia 23 de dezembro uma carta do Comitê de Liberdade de Imprensa que destacou uma lista de acontecimentos nada favorável à imprensa. O texto diz respeito apenas ao mês de dezembro e aponta cinco fatos graves. O assassinato de José Givonaldo Vieira em Pernambuco, uma intimidação com tiros a dois jornalistas no Paraná, a determinação que impede o Estado de S. Paulo de publicar informações sobre Fernando Sarney, a ameaça que o fotógrafo Lúcio Távola recebeu enquanto cobria uma manifestação estudantil, e os constrangimentos passados por Antônio Muniz no Acre por criticar um senador.<br /> <br />O texto ainda cita o fato de o Brasil estar sob a atenção de todo o mundo, se desenvolvendo economicamente, ter sido escolhido para sediar as Olimpíadas de 2016 e a importância que uma imprensa livre tem em um contexto como esse. O país está crescendo e se tornando referência para outros, menos desenvolvidos. O comitê cobra uma prestação de contas do governo e uma ação concreta em favor dos jornalistas mencionados. <br /><br />Veja abaixo a íntegra (em inglês) da carta:<br /> <br />Your Excellency:<br /> <br />This past year was in many ways a great one for Brazil -- a booming economy and then the news that Rio de Janeiro will play host to the 2016 Olympics. Brazil is in a spotlight brighter than ever before, and with that new scrutiny has come heightened awareness of the frequent threats to our colleagues there.<br /> <br />Just in the month of December, we have become aware of the following:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><br /> <br /><br />On December 15, unidentified assailants shot and killed Brazilian radio host José Givonaldo Vieira in Pernambuco. According to reports we have gathered, investigators believe Vieira´s murder was an execution carried out by hired gunmen.<br /><br />On December 11, two journalists who work for Carajás TV’s crime program, "Campo Mourão Urgente," were shot at as they were editing their program in Paraná. Rita de Cássia dos Santos, the program’s producer, suspects the shooters were local drug traffickers attempting to intimidate the reporters. <br /><br />On December 10, the Federal Supreme Court ruled against an appeal filed by O Estado de São Paulo asking to reverse a lower court decision preventing it from publishing information about a federal investigation of businessman Fernando Sarney. It happens that Sarney is the son of Brazil’s senate president (and former president of Brazil) José Sarney.<br /><br />On December 5, photographer, Lúcio Távora, of A Tarde was harassed and threatened by military police officers while photographing a demonstration by students in Salvador. <br /><br />On December 4, a court in Acre released Antônio Muniz, a local TV commentator and columnist for the daily newspaper, O Rio Branco. Muniz had been jailed for two days in connection with a 2002 conviction on a charge of defaming a senator. He was released because in the new Brazil, press offenses have been decriminalized -- a victory for free expression. Notwithstanding, Muniz was forced to appear in handcuffs at a closed-door hearing, violating federal court rules.</p>
<p><br /> <br />We are frankly surprised that the list for a single month is so long, Your Excellency. Brazil has become a shining light for other countries on the path to modern economic development. The work of a free press has been absolutely central to that achievement. There could be no better recognition of that centrality than a firm statement of concern and concrete action on behalf of the journalists mentioned above.<br /> <br />Like the rest of the world, we will continue to give Brazil even greater attention in the next several years as the country builds toward the Olympics. We will give special attention to the situation of our colleagues in Brazil, and expect to remain in regular communication with both them and with you.<br /> <br />Respectfully yours,<br /> <br />Kevin McDermott Jeremy Main<br />Co-chairmen - Freedom of the Press Committee</p>