“Journalist Ronaldo Chaves dos Santos, 59, reported being physically assaulted by a city employee in Santo Antônio do Descoberto, in the metropolitan area surrounding Brazil’s Federal District. A video circulating on social media captured the moment he was attacked. The incident has been reported to the police.
In the footage, José Sobreira de Oliveira Filho, 43, is seen unexpectedly punching the journalist on a street in front of the local city council building. After being struck with slaps and punches, Chaves falls onto a motorcycle. The attack escalates as the assailant appears to attempt a chokehold before walking away.
In a statement, the public employee acknowledged having a long-standing conflict with the journalist and expressed regret over the attack. ‘I deeply regret what happened. I never intended to hurt anyone and have always respected the press,’ he said. ‘But hearing someone call you a ‘little thief’ and remembering everything he’s said about me over the years—I lost my temper, and it got physical.’ ”
