Freedom of expression experts warn of interference with the Brazilian Public Broadcaster and the National Controller’s
Office
WASHINGTON / GENEVA (24 June 2016) – United Nations and Inter-American Commission experts on freedom of expression today
expressed their concern at measures taken by the interim Federal Government in Brazil intervening in the administration
of the Brazilian Public Broadcaster (EBC) and the converting the National Controller’s Office (CGU) into a new Ministry
of Transparency, Monitoring and Oversight.
“The interference with the EBC’s management and the conversion of the CGU into a Ministry are negative steps for a
country known for its solid commitment to freedom of opinion and expression,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the
right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and the Inter-American Special Rapporteur on freedom of
expression, Edison Lanza.
“Brazil is undergoing a critical period and should ensure it preserves the progress it has made in the promotion of
freedom of expression and access to public information over the last two decades,” the experts said.
On 17 May, the interim President of Brazil replaced the EBC’s chief executive officer, who was just starting his four
years mandate. He was later reinstated on appeal by a justice of the Supreme Court on 2 June. The newly appointed
administration suspended the contracts of journalists because of an alleged “political bias” against the new Government
and cancelled some TV programs.
“We take note of concerns expressed by the Government on the economic situation of the EBC. However, those concerns do
not justify its interference in the national public broadcaster’s management and, in particular, in its journalistic
work. We thus welcome the decision of Justice Dias Toffoli reinstating the EBC director,” said UN Special Rapporteur
Kaye.
“International standards require States to ensure that public broadcasting services operate in an independent manner.
This means fundamentally guaranteeing their administrative autonomy and editorial freedom,” continued the Inter-American
expert Edison Lanza.
“The attempt to develop an alternative national public broadcaster with an independent status was in fact a laudable
effort to promote pluralism in Brazil, particularly considering the problems of concentration of media ownership in the
country,” Mr. Lanza said, while expressing further concern at recent suggestions by some Brazilian authorities to close
down the EBC.
The freedom of expression experts also drew attention to the absorption of the CGU by the recently created Ministry of
Transparency.
“In recent years, the main progresses made in Brazil in the promotion of the right to information in Brazil greatly
benefited from the CGU’s work,” Mr. Lanza noted recalling that the institution helped to advance the 2011 Law on Access
to Information.
“Because of its direct link to the President’s Office, the CGU was able to offer an appeal opportunity for those whose
access to information was denied by Ministries or other federal institutions. It is important to secure this authority
in the new institutional arrangements,” he said.
“Organisations providing access to information and promoting accountability should be shielded from political
interference. Any change in the functioning of the former CGU should be aimed at making it more autonomous and
independent from determinations from the Executive office,” said Mr. Kaye, who also expressed concern regarding reports
that the new Minister of Transparency suggested that staff unhappy with the new Government should leave the
organization.
The two human rights experts initiated a dialogue with the Brazilian Government on the compatibility of the measures
taken by the authorities with international standards for the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
ENDS