What is the purpose of Folha de S. Paulo?

Last Friday, November 08th, Folha de S. Paulo published the following headline: "Mayor knew everything, says arrested tax inspector, in recording." This refers to an article about fraud in the Service Tax (ISS) at the São Paulo city hall. The current mayor, Fernando Haddad (PT), established a comptroller's office that uncovered a large embezzlement scheme during the previous administration of Gilberto Kassab (PSD).

Right away, when the scheme became public, four inspectors were arrested. One of the suspects allegedly owned a Porsche. These cars cost up to 800 reais.

By revealing the multi-million dollar scheme, arresting suspects, subjecting them to investigation and, consequently, to trial, Haddad stuck his finger in the hornet's nest. Worse, he did all this based on an old scheme from the previous administration, which is linked to José Serra (PSDB).

Kassab was Serra's deputy mayor who resigned to run for governor of São Paulo in 2006. In 2008, Kassab ran against Geraldo Alckmin of the PSDB party, but without the support of the then-governor, Serra, who supported Kassab. Therefore, attacking Kassab inevitably means attacking Serra.

But what does this have to do with Folha de S. Paulo and its headline from November 08th of this year?

Anyone unfamiliar with the subject would think it was about Fernando Haddad, not former mayor Gilberto Kassab. The journalistically honest headline would be: "Kassab knew everything, says arrested inspector, in recording." As Ivan Freitas, the artist behind the artwork accompanying this text, aptly illustrated.

Folha is the typical newspaper made for the São Paulo elite. A source of inspiration for Integralism. Which hates anything with a popular bias. It supported the civil-military dictatorship and is now trying at all costs to involve Haddad in the scheme that its partners set up.

Unfortunately, many people who don't fit the profile of the São Paulo elite harbor respect or admiration for this print media. This attitude stems from the common concept of what constitutes success. Success in capitalist societies is about financial contributions, not what you do or how you do it.

If you have a lot of money or, in this case, the structure to have the size you have – Folha circulates nationally – it's because you're good. No one considers how you got to where you are. The only thing that's more or less average about Folha de S. Paulo is the paper it's printed on. The same as all other printed newspapers.

Regarding the case of the inspectors in the city of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad has already stated that no one is immune from being investigated if necessary. Another point in his favor.

At least one good thing about Folha de S. Paulo is that it could be better utilized in journalism schools. It's a prime example of how not to do journalism. It serves to illustrate to students what kind of press and journalistic practice is desired in the country. It shows whether it's really worthwhile to work for "hyped" publications that produce garbage.