Cracks in the wall of the media dictatorship

"We want to have an active voice."
In our destiny, command
But then comes the whirlwind
And it carries destiny there.
(…)
We're going against the grain.
Until you can no longer resist.
It's on the boat's return trip that you feel it.
How much did he fail to accomplish?

We've been growing this for a long time.
The most beautiful rose bush there is.
But then comes the whirlwind
"And carry the rose bush over there."

(Roda Viva, Chico Buarque)

Brazil, which has not even overcome the trauma of the military dictatorship (will it ever?), is now experiencing another catastrophe: a media dictatorship. During the military regime, repression imposed arbitrary arrests, censorship, torture, and death. Currently, we suffer at the hands of a segment of the Judiciary that acts against the rule of law, coupled with a press that, for the most part, does not hesitate (and, in some cases, excels) in disseminating poorly researched facts and rumors, as long as they can contribute, in some way, to attacking and attempting to overthrow a government legitimately elected by the people. It is sad and tragic: in the context of the media dictatorship, some newsrooms have become the new dungeons.

Anyone who thinks there are no similarities between Brazil today and yesterday is mistaken. A prime example: during the so-called "years of lead," we cheered when censorship "dropped the ball" and allowed a song with a subliminal message exposing the ills of the state of exception to pass; today we cheer, mainly through social media, when an artist, a journalist, or a jurist manages to break through the siege of the media dictatorship and exposes the bad faith that permeates it.

Recently, actress Marieta Severo dared to confront the patronizing views of presenter Faustão, on a Sunday night on Globo. To the "Brazil of despair" preached by the formerly funny Fausto Silva, Marieta presented a Brazil of social inclusion, which has greatly improved in recent years. The actress's response was a success with both the public and critics among those on social media who see Globo as spearheading a political coup.

And so it was and so it goes: while in that dark time we shuddered and dared to go out singing in the streets, even with the imminent risk of arrests and beatings with batons, "come, let's go, waiting is not knowing...", today we live with flashes of euphoria when a Janio de Freitas, a Paulo Moreira, a Nassif, a Paulo Nogueira, a Fernando Brito, a Rovai or a Miguel do Rosário, a Bob Fernandes write and speak against this state of affairs that threatens the rule of law. We enjoy and share with enthusiasm when a Sakamoto, an Antonio Prata or a Duvivier point out how naked the elite is. We vibrate and are moved when a Jô Soares receives President Dilma and conducts a dignified interview, without softening, but also without pointing fingers and without trying to intimidate the interviewee.

"Despite you, tomorrow will be...", sang Chico Buarque, while he still could. Today, despite Globonews, Professor Igor Fuser speaks about what is really happening in Venezuela, breaks through the siege and points out how much indignity is said and done against the neighboring country. And, despite them, Brasil 247, O Cafezinho, Portal Fórum, Carta Maior, Tijolaço, Conversa Afiada, Socialista Morena, Maria Frô, Blog da Cidadania and other news channels on the internet are swimming against the tide, as did, in other times, the persecuted and combative vehicles of the so-called "small press," such as Versus, Movimento, Pasquim, O Trabalho, Coojornal...

These vehicles and personalities, free and dignified, who do not conform and do not bow their heads to the media dictatorship, are the oxygen balloons that recover us from the asphyxiation they try to impose on us. Let us celebrate and publicize all these actions with the same enthusiasm as the activists who fought the military dictatorship and inspired us in the pursuit of full democracy.