Brazil: Disinformation Outlet Lodges Criminal Complaint Against Award-winning Journalist Tai Nalon
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands against criminal complaint targeting Tai Nalon, urges Justice Department to put an end to the legal harassment
Location: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Date: August 22, 2023
Journalist Tai Nalon, the executive director of fact-checking agency Aos Fatos, is being targeted with a criminalization attempt. Jornal da Cidade Online has accused the journalist of unfair competition and defamation, aiming to intimidate her through the legal system. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its unwavering support for Tai Nalon and vehemently condemns any efforts to censor her. We call upon the Justice Department in Rio de Janeiro to immediately cease the process of intimidation against the journalist.
On August 22, the judge of the 6th Criminal Chamber of the State Court of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Castro Anátocles da Silva Ferreira, denied the request to dismiss the criminal complaint filed by Jornal da Cidade Online against Tai Nalon, the executive director of Aos Fatos.
Jornal da Cidade Online, which is currently under investigation by the STF (Supreme Federal Court) and TSE (Superior Electoral Court), has accused Tai Nalon, executive director and co-founder of the highly regarded fact-checking initiative Aos Fatos, of defamation and unfair competition. These accusations stem from a report that exposes the dissemination and monetization of fake news by the website in question.
The publication filed a lawsuit at the TJ-RS (Rio Grande do Sul Court of Justice), which has resulted in the censorship of the report by Aos Fatos. These actions are concerning and highlight the need for the protection of press freedom and the fight against disinformation.
The hearing and trial of the criminal complaint filed against Aos Fatos, which has been perceived as an instrument of intimidation, commenced on Wednesday, August 23. The proceedings are scheduled to continue on November 8th.
CFWIJ will closely monitor the developments of this case, as it raises concerns regarding the potential impact on press freedom and the ability of journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal. Aos Fatos and Tai Nalon, who won the Brazilian Data Journalism Awards in the innovation category, have the right to inform the public. Their reporting on the systematic dissemination of disinformation by Jornal da Cidade Online is within that scope.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Tai Nalon and strongly condemns the intimidation attempt. We recognize the detrimental impact that such judicial persecution and self-censorship have on both victims and journalists as a whole. We emphasize the importance of upholding the fundamental right to freedom of the press and call on the Justice Department of Rio de Janeiro to rectify this situation by halting the process.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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