By Isabela Fraga
A reporter from the Brazilian newspaper Jornal da Tarde, in São Paulo, will run for city council this year 2012 elections in order to cover the campaign from a different perspective, reported the newspaper's website.
The journalist, whose identity was not revealed, will cover the race of more than 1,200 candidates on his blog.
In an attempt to innovate elections coverage -- commonly guided by polls and statements --, the newspaper nicknamed the initiative Accidental Candidate. The journalist will have a column in print, a blog, and a website.
In the first blog post of the candidate -- who doesn't want to be elected, and also complying with the law, will only reveal his name at the end of the election process --, the reporter said he will report about the routines of a political novice, and about the "backstage improbabilities of the race for a seat on the City Council."
According to the reporter/candidate, all formalities were complied with for the candidacy process, such as the affiliation to a party, attending meetings, and even campaigning on TV.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
