Another journalist from the Brazilian state of Maranhão has reported threats after the killing of journalist Décio Sá, reported the website Gazeta da Ilha on Monday, May 14. Other reporters and publishers of the state said they received frequent threats. Sá's friends say that he received threats before he was shot to death in a bar in São Luiz.
Isanilson Dias, blogger and host of the news radio “Rádio Jornal” in the city of São Bento, sent a letter to the National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ in Portuguese) stating that he has been receiving threats from the mayor's supporters because of his criticism and reports against the public official, and from the municipal administration for reporting on irregularities in the use of federal funds and the poor administration of public services.
According to the journalist, he received threats through anonymous calls, and during one of the most recent calls, he received a message: "Stop talking about what you shouldn't be talking about or your days will be numbered," reported the news site Jornal Pequeno.
FENAJ requested the São Luís Journalist Union to intervene in the case, asking authorities to guarantee safety for the journalists.
The violence against journalists this year made Brazil fall 41 places in the ranking of freedom of expression by Reporters Without Borders. According to the International Institute of Press Security, in 2011, Brazil was the 8th most dangerous country in the world for journalists. Currently it ranks 2nd place.
Investigations
While the investigation of the killing of political journalist Décio Sa continues, the investigation of the killing of the journalist Francisco Gomes de Medeiros was concluded, according to the portal UOL on Wednesday, May 9. The police said that the execution was ordered by a group of four people who raised $8,000 to pay a hit-man. The motive of the crime was Medeiros' reports.
