Stories about Portuguese from May, 2012
Brazil: More TV Humiliation of Young Man
Brazilian journalist Rodrigo de Almeida denounces [pt] the existence of a longer video of that shown in the GV post (from May 26, 2012) about the TV humiliation of a young man. The video shows the host of the TV show Brasil Urgente, Uziel Bueno, going further in the humiliation...
Portugal: Police Evicts Squatted Building in Lisbon
Going against an injunction approved by the Supreme Court of Lisbon, the police evicted today, May 31, the collective São Lázaro – “the only public squat in the capital” of Portugal. There are reports [pt] of detentions and violence. The activist platform Tugaleaks is sharing updates on its Facebook wall.
Brazil: Questions Surrounding Rio's ‘Pacifying Police’ Units
The state government of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has adopted a security policy based on the installation of Pacifying Police Units who tackle crime in favelas (shanty towns) but also promote social policies. But there are questions about the motivations behind this strategy and whether the voices of residents are being heard.
Brazil: SlutWalks Spread Across the Country
On May 26th and 27th, a number of cities around Brazil were the scene of the second round of protests known as SlutWalks, calling for women's liberty and the right of women to dress as they want without being the victims of violence or moralism. Global Voices has selected a series of photos of protests around the country.
Brazil: Sex Abuse Revealed by Children's TV Presenter Provokes Debate
Xuxa Meneghel, the most famous children's TV presenter in Brazil, revealed on national television that she was the victim of sexual abuse during childhood. Her declaration divided opinions on the Internet and opened up a debate on a subject that is still considered taboo in the country: sexual abuse against children and adolescents. Paula Góes reports on the first week of the debate.
Mozambique: Diving and Defending Marine Life
Recent alarm has been raised about overfishing at one of Mozambique's most important tourist beaches. We document involvement of Mozambicans as dive professionals and conservationists - crucial to a sustainable future for Mozambique's coastal areas, where it is estimated two-thirds of the population lives.
Mozambique: Music clips with a regional perspective
Youtube user Niassatim uploaded a series of music clips by artists from the northern interior of Mozambique, in the Yao language, also spoken in Malawi and Tanzania. The videos depict a mixture of local realities and musical influences, and global elements. (To date, Niassa province's biggest musical export is Massukos.)
Brazil: TV Humiliation of Young Man Opens Media Regulation Debate
At the beginning of May, a televised interview of a young man who was accused by the reporter of trying to rape a woman ignited debate over the necessity of regulating the great Brazilian media and of imposing limits on the custom of stereotyping minorities and vulnerable people.
Brazil: Will President Dilma Veto the Future of Forests?
Online social media has been abuzz since the approval of the new Forestry Code in Brazil by the National Congress. In the spotlight is President Dilma Rousseff, who can use her legal right in congress to veto the future of forests up until May 25.
“The Most Misterious of Brazilian Writers” Receives Camões Award
Blog Semióticas [pt] celebrates this year's Camões Award – “the highest honor” for a Portuguese language writer – given to Dalton Trevisan from Curitiba, Brazil, for his “extraordinary contribute in the art of short stories”. Trevisan, “the most misterious of Brazilian writers”, is well known for his mystical reclusiveness, and refuses...
Brazil: Famous Singer Pays Homage to Her Iconic Mother
The singer Maria Rita toured Brazil with a series of free concerts in homage to her late mother Elis Regina, one of the most iconic performers of Brazilian music. The subject became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, as fans of both singers flooded social media with their impressions of the shows.
Brazil: A Comic Book and its Soundtrack
Brazilian blogger Francielle Costa reviews [pt] Achados e Perdidos (Lost and Found), a comic book in which each chapter counts on an original soundtrack produced especially for the story. The project was crowdfunded. Chapter 1, and its soundtrack, is available here [pt].
Portugal: Unemployment as the New ‘Thang’
Portuguese Minister of Economy Álvaro Santos Pereira‘s speech on the Parliament today, May 18, has become a national joke [pt], with the hashtag #Coiso (slang for “thing”) trending on Twitter. The minister stated [pt] that “we all must to work together – unions, employers and parties so that we can...
Cape Verde: Encouraging Storytelling and Creative Writing
Set over the course of seven weeks, a creative writing competition promoted by the young Cape Verdean journalist Odair Varela on his blog, has led a dozen word lovers to get behind their keyboards and let their imaginations flow. The winners have already been announced and this article provides an overview of the stories told.
Mozambique: Police Chief Sitting Above the Law
The intransigence of Jorge Khalau, Commander in Chief of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, who stated that police forces are governed by his rules and should not comply with any court order, shocked the public opinion in the beginning of May.
Mozambique: “Who wants to give birth here?”
Knight International Journalism Fellow Mercedes Sayagues published a video (with versions in English and Portuguese) which takes viewers on a sad tour of maternity clinics in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. The province has the highest maternal mortality rate in Mozambique.
Brazil: ‘Hands That Cure, Words That Heal’
With their herbs, gestures, prayers and comforting words, folk healing is an important element of Brazilian culture. Although some people believe that traditional healing art is disappearing, folk healers from two Brazilian cities have just had their activities recognised by pioneering laws.
Brazil: Street Dwellers Share Their Voice on Newspaper
A Laje newspaper features complaints and stories of “street dwellers demanding respect” in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Produced by the National Movement of Street Dwellers (MNPR) in partnership with students of the group Communication and Education for People at the Federal University of Paraná, the newspaper intends to reach...
Mozambique: President Rejects Social Networks
A rejection of online communication tools by Mozambique's President Armando Guebuza to an audience of young voters made waves on social networks. Netizens respond to the leader's comments.
Brazil: Homeless Movement in Belo Horizonte Surrounded by Police
“Ocupação Eliana Silva” [pt], a camping site of around 300 families in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which had been occupied mostly by homeless workers [pt] on April 21, in protest against lack of housing conditions, was sieged by the military police today, May 11. Journalist Adriano Ventura (@adrianoventura) is tweeting photos...
Mozambique: Space for Human Rights Debate Launched on Facebook
A new online space that aims to “sharpen critical awareness and the promotion of citizenship, human rights and access to information” in Mozambique was launched today, May 11, on Facebook by CODD – a Center of Studies and Promotion of Citizenship, Human Rights and the Environment. On their welcoming message...
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