Brazilian journalists, artists, politicians and others gathered to show support for US journalist and editor Glenn Greenwald, who was threatened with the possibility of jail by President Jair Bolsonaro for publishing hacked mobile phone conversations between the justice minister when he was a judge and prosecutors.
Actor Wagner Moura, singer-composer Chico Buarque and others attended one of the meetings Tuesday night, held in Rio de Janeiro at the Brazilian Press Association, where Greenwald talked in defense of press freedom and need for protection of the sources who deliver information to news media.
He thanked Brazilian journalists and others for supporting him.
"The investigative journalists are doing what they have always been doing: defending a free press against the attacks of an authoritarian government," he said.
As Greenwald spoke, dozens of people rallied outside in his defense, while in São Paulo a group marched to show support for the editor of the Brazil-based online publication The Intercept Brazil and to defend freedom of the press.
Brazil's president on Monday accused Greenwald of committing a crime and alleged he had links with the alleged hackers who have been detained on suspicion of leaking the phone conversations of Justice Minister Sergio Moro, a leading member of his Cabinet. Bolsonaro did not provide evidence for those claims.
On Saturday, the president also took aim at Greenwald. Bolsonaro said the journalist could not be expelled from Brazil under newly announced fast-track deportation rules for foreigners deemed to be "dangerous" because he is married to a Brazilian and has adopted Brazilian kids. But, Bolsonaro added, "he could be imprisoned" in Brazil.
The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists and other associations condemned the president's threats against the journalist.
The Intercept's reports have led to questions about whether as a judge, Moro improperly consulted with prosecutors when he was overseeing the mammoth "Operation Car Wash" corruption investigation. Moro's work in that probe has made him a hero for many Brazilian.
– AP
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