· November, 2008

Stories about Brazil from November, 2008

Brazil under flood: Bloggers form solidarity networks

While mainstream media was first slow to report news of the grave floods that have devastated the south of Brazil and then sensationalized the tragedy, bloggers responded by creating a network of support. This post explores the difference in the approaches between conventional media professionals and amateur and freelancer produced news blogs.

30 November 2008

Brazil: Over 80 deaths in the worst environmental tragedy

Over 80 people have been killed in landslides and floods caused by heavy rain in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, and the death toll is rising by the minute, as rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the flooding that started at the weekend.

26 November 2008

Latin American Bloggers jump into Reality Television

Chevrolet and NatGeo have launched a reality show that mixes driving, tourism, gadgets and blogging throughout South America. On The Road Again follows 6 bloggers in 6 different countries, driving around, taking tours and documenting their experiences through streaming video, blog posts and pictures, and it will later on be featured on a NatGeo channel show.

24 November 2008

Brazil: Attempts to censor a documentary about censorship

Gagged in Brazil, a documentary about the relationship between politics, media and censorship in Brazil was taken off the Current TV networks after a political party's complaint. After a full investigation into the sources, the film is back online - but media censorship in Minas Gerais is an old and ongoing issue.

20 November 2008

Brazil: Flash mob protest against Digital Crimes Bill

Brazilian bloggers and netizens took to the streets of São Paulo to protest against the Digital Crimes Bill which typifies the cyber-crimes punishable by law and stipulates penalties accordingly, but might end up considering trivial conduct when surfing the Internet as a crime. At a public hearing held in the parliament, the project supporters "ended up sounding silly and unprepared".

16 November 2008

Brazil: National Park Under Threat from Illegal Fires

For over a month now the Chapada Diamantina National Park has been burning relentlessly and lost 50 percent of its forest area (roughly the size of New York City). Authorities say the fires were started by ranchers clearing land for pasture. The situation is out of control and if not reforested, Chapada may lose its exuberance for ever.

11 November 2008

Brazil: The “Empty Biennial” fills up the blogosphere

The 28th Bienal de São Paulo represents a paradigm shift from previous editions and offers a platform for observation and reflection upon the culture and system of biennials on the international art circuit. Dubbed the "Biennial of the Emptiness" before opening its doors, the fair has indeed managed to heat a debate on the blogosphere.

9 November 2008

Brazilian myths and haunts in the Lusosphere – Part 3

To bring this series about Brazilian myths, legends and haunts as seen on the Lusosphere to a great close, we couldn't choose a better entity to speak about than Saci Pererê. After being introduced to mythic beings like Cuca, Boitatá and Curupira in the first article, and reading the intriguing narratives about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, among others, in the second article of the series, now it's time to delve into the mysteries of the most famous being from Brazilian mythology.

1 November 2008

About our Brazil coverage

Fernanda Canofre
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.