· March, 2012

Stories about Brazil from March, 2012

Brazil: Irregularities Denounced in the Council of Representatives of Emigrants

  30 March 2012

Founded at the end of 2012, the Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior [Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad], or the CRBE, linked to the Ministry of External Affairs, has provoked the indignation of expatriate Brazilians owing to allegations of irregularities in the election process for its representatives.

Brazil: Thoughts on Access to Science on Document Freedom Day

  28 March 2012

In the Document Freedom Day, March 28, Brazilian blogger and professor Ladislau Dowbor writes [pt] about open access to science, and questions the price of information. He also shares his views on the role of professors in the face of intelectual property, and an article about an online boycott by...

Brazil: Cyclist's Death in São Paulo Sparks Protests and Debate

  19 March 2012

On the morning of March 2, 33-year-old Juliana Dias was killed by a bus while riding her bicycle on her way to work along São Paulo's main street, Avenida Paulista. Her story shocked cycling rights activists, sparked spontaneous protests across the city and opened a national debate.

Brazil: Demonstration Demands President Veto on Forestry Code

  16 March 2012

On March 7, Brazilian activists organized an act (#vetadilma) urging President Dilma to veto changes on the new Forestry Code. Biologist Pablo Pessoa published photos and videos of the act, and wrote [pt] about his participation, claiming it was difficult to ensure “preservation or conservation of ecological processes without the recognition by...

Brazil: Ministry Silences Report on Human Rights in Belo Monte

  15 March 2012

Brazilian journalist Leonardo Sakamoto comments [pt] on a news [pt] about a report he wrote for the government that denounces human rights abuses [pt] in the region affected by the Belo Monte Dam. The news points that almost one year after the visit, the report hasn't been formally discussed by...

Intercontinental Cry Will Launch Spanish Edition

  13 March 2012

Ahni announces the upcoming Spanish edition of Intercontinental Cry [es], which will go live on March 31, 2012. “The main objective of IC Espanol is, of course, to provide Spanish readers with the same news that our English readers have come to expect from us; what I consider to be...

Brazil: Citizens Say No to Aquarium in Fortaleza

  13 March 2012

Citizens of Fortaleza are urging the governor of the Brazilian state of Ceará, Cid Gomes, to halt an Aquarium project which has had no public bidding. Critics argue it will rise land prices and force families to leave. Mobilization took to the streets on carnival, spread on Twitter with #AcquarioNao...

Brazil: Bloggers Sued for Denouncing Corruption in Alagoas

  13 March 2012

Mário Júnior and Alexandre Fleming, on Blog do Fleming, denounced [pt] in July 2011 that the Secretary of Budget and Planning and Economic Development, Energy and Logistics, Luiz Otavio Gomes Silva, from the Brazilian state of Alagoas, was benefiting “individual customers with government incentives.” Now, in 2012, bloggers were sued...

Brazil: What Happens If There's Another Oil Crisis?

The rise in the price of oil caused by the impasse between the Western powers and Iran has been a cause for concern not just for the European and North American markets, but also for less vulnerable economies such as the Brazilian economy. On the other hand, opportunities are arising for a new chapter in Brazil's economic history.

Brazil: Story of a 93 Year-Old Syrian Migrant

  8 March 2012

'Sito Badia', 'Grandmother Badia' in Arabic - as her grandsons like to call her - was born in the Western Syrian province of Homs. She immigrated to Brazil with her family 80 years ago, when she was only 13. The following story of her life recalls the early days of Arab immigrants to Brazil and Latin America.

Brazil: Can the Agrarian Economy Develop Without Rural Bloodshed?

  7 March 2012

Nilcilene Miguel de Lima is one of the dozens of small farmers from the Amazon who are being threatened to death by land-grabbers and illegal loggers. As Brazil's GDP goes up, its environmental heritage is increasingly less protected, and the new forest code, soon to be voted, will open up the forest for use by big agricultural businesses.

Brazil: Pay TV Giant Campaigns Against New Act

  6 March 2012

Act 12.485/1, approved by Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff on September 2011, establishing new rules for pay television, has already created controversy among satellite television providers, subscribers and independent producers. Satellite TV provider, SKY, created a campaign to end the act, and several people in the industry have not been pleased with it.

Global Voices Podcast: Remembering Our School Days

  1 March 2012

In this edition we’re going back to school! From extreme teaching on the Niger River, to the fondest or most memorable educational moments of Global Voices contributors around the world. Plus: How Ethan Zuckerman learned to type so fast.

About our Brazil coverage

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