Al Jazeera Journalism Review

A Brazilian military police officer patrols after entering the unpacified Complexo da Mare, one of the largest 'favela' complexes in Rio, on March 30, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Risking their lives on the frontlines, journalists in Brazil’s favelas struggle for recognition

They are reporting from the frontlines of one of Latin America’s deadliest armed conflicts. To do their work, they face a constant threat of violence from security forces, paramilitary groups and armed gangs.

By all measures, journalists from Rio’s favelas are among the bravest war reporters in the world. They operate in the densely populated impoverished neighborhoods, home to 20% of Rio’s population, which have spread over the city’s hillsides and peripheries as a result of gentrification and inadequate urban planning.

Still, despite the dangers, favela journalists continue to document human rights violations and provide an essential service to their community.

But they do not nearly have the resources they need — and many risk their lives daily, for no pay at all. In fact, they struggle to be seen as real journalists by their colleagues in corporate media — at best, they are derided as media activists of sorts.

“The work of journalists in conflict areas is often romanticized, but the same things are happening here and we’re not looked at,” says Gizele Martins, a journalist from Maré, a large cluster of favelas in Rio de Janeiro. She has been covering the human rights situation in Rio’s favelas for community outlets for twenty years. Throughout her career, she has received over a dozen death threats, often resulting in self-censorship.

In her book “Militarization and Censorship,” Martins describes how favela journalists face constant harassment by security forces. They’ve been prohibited from recording police operations and have had their phones seized and photos wiped. When covering local protests, they’ve been attacked with stun grenades and live ammunition. On more than one occasion, soldiers have invaded newsrooms and forced local radios to air pro-military propaganda.

“Doing journalism while living in the favelas is a great challenge,” says Martins. “Our lives are completely vulnerable, because the security forces can do whatever they want without accountability.”

 

Local media under pressure from all sides

Despite being chronically neglected by authorities, favela residents have a long tradition of grassroots organizing. Residents run community radios, newspapers and digital media informing residents about a range of issues, from the local economy and culture to house demolitions and police killings.

“Our reporting mostly targets favela residents,” says Buba Aguiar, a journalist from the Acari favela in Rio who produces content for a local digital outlet. “For example, they can check our page to learn whether there is a police operation going on, and if it’s safe to leave their houses.”

 Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, these outlets have focused on disseminating information to prevent the spread of the virus. One of these outlets has created a website for example, which compiles the number of coronavirus-related cases and deaths in Rio’s favelas. 

Daily life in Rio’s favelas is affected by a decades-long conflict between security forces and armed groups fighting for territorial control. The situation deteriorated in the aftermath of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics as the city plunged in a financial crisis that affected the provision of basic services.

A recent study estimates that nearly 55% of the city’s population lives in areas under the influence of armed gangs and paramilitary groups. These factions profit off of the extortion of residents, drug sales and monopolizing services like housing and transportation. According to Martins, doing journalism in some of these places is “practically impossible.”

Even in areas that are not directly ruled by criminal groups, residents face heavy police presence, and Rio’s security forces are known to be extremely violent — in 2019, police were responsible for 1 out of 3 homicides in the Rio de Janeiro state. There are numerous reports of arbitrary home invasions, abusive stop and frisk and even torture. 

According to data by the Brazilian Public Security Forum, 50,183 violent deaths were recorded in the Rio de Janeiro state between 2011 and 2019. The main victims of this conflict between gangs and security forces are civilians, predominantly black youth living in the favelas. Local human rights groups such as the Black Coalition for Rights describe the situation as a genocide.

Still, activists persist, despite the risk to their lives and personal freedom. “Covering public security, militarization and the anti-racism struggle has never been a choice, it is a necessity given the reality we live in,” says Martins.

In contrast to media in the favelas, corporate media has historically supported police and army operations in Rio, although they rarely have correspondents in the favelas to provide first-hand accounts of the conflict. Framing their coverage within the narrative of the War on Drugs , these outlets tend to prioritize police sources and to associate favela residents with the stigma of criminality. In August, for example, a major news website initially described Maré as a “bunker of criminals,” before deleting the phrase due to a public outcry.

“Mainstream media does a great disservice to our lives,” says Martins. “They convince society that it is ok for police helicopters to shoot at our homes.” She complains that corporate outlets usually do not consider favela reporters to be real journalists, even those that, like her, have a degree from a major university. 

“It is very hard for us to find any space in the corporate media, because they have a completely different editorial line. The journalism I do essentially questions why the state continues to massacre favela residents, and why they spend so much money on weapons instead of investing in basic services like education and healthcare,” she says.

 

Journalists targeted and harassed 

After becoming the target of death threats and online harassment, Martins spent many years away from social media and stopped publishing her blog. She has recently reactivated her social media pages, but still fears the consequences of speaking her mind online.

Aguiar says that covering police operations often means becoming a target herself. “Sometimes, wearing protective equipment risks drawing too much attention to us. If police were to invade my house and find a bulletproof vest, they could use that to accuse me of being involved with criminal groups, even if it had a press label on it,” she says.

In 2016, Aguiar was kidnapped and beaten by police officers, so she had to leave Acari for ten months. Later in 2018, after threats started again, she had to spend almost a year living a semi-clandestine life, moving from place to place.

“Being forced into exile caused a lot of psychological damage, I started drinking and my academic performance dropped. Even today, whenever I have to leave my house, I share my location with colleagues and update them constantly about my situation,” she says.

Naldinho Lourenço, a photojournalist from the Maré cluster of favelas, has also received threats for his work. In 2018, he decided to avoid Rio for a month (that same year, city councilwoman Marielle Franco, born and raised in Maré, was assassinated in a crime that remains unsolved).

To cope with the volume of threats and danger he faced from the state which is nominally meant to protect journalists like him, Lourenço turned to international press bodies for help.

“We are in contact with favela activist networks and international press freedom organizations that help us whenever we need, so at very least we can stay alive,” he says, adding that many favela journalists work as volunteers and struggle to make ends meet. “When I decided to leave Rio temporarily, the support I got from Reporters Without Borders and Front Line Defenders was essential to reorganize my life.” 

According to Natalie Southwick, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ South and Central Americas Program Coordinator, press freedom violations against local journalists covering armed conflict are commonplace across Latin America. 

“There are other places in the region — whether that’s journalists covering cartel violence in Mexico or gangs in Honduras and El Salvador — where local journalists are practically working in conditions that are similar to active conflict zones in other parts of the world, but they don’t get the same recognition as war reporters from international outlets,” she says.

Southwick also points out that many countries in the region have “an extensive surveillance apparatus that didn’t necessarily get dismantled” in the aftermath of military dictatorships, which poses a threat to press freedom. “Favela journalists continue to live in communities that are heavily surveilled by the state, so they have a ton of knowledge about digital and physical security measures to keep themselves and their sources safe,” she says.

“In many ways, they are testing out strategies for the future of citizen journalism. It’s a really interesting context in which people are doing excellent reporting with minimal resources,” Southwick adds.

As Brazil plunges in a pandemic recession and faces the growing threat of authoritarianism under president Jair Bolsonaro, Rio’s favela journalists fear for their future. “We need to be seen by society, right now we don’t have the resources to stay safe,” says Martins. “Despite the risks, I can’t leave this place because I don’t have the means to do it, but this is also my home and I don’t want to leave it.”

Cover Photo: A brazilian military police officer patrols after entering Complexo da Mare, one of the largest 'favela' complexes in Rio on March 30, 2014. (Mario Tama — Getty Images)

More Articles

Gender Inequity in Sports Reporting: Female Journalists Demand Equality

Gender inequality persists in sports journalism, with female reporters significantly under-represented, as shown by studies revealing that only 5.1% of sports articles are written by women. Advocates call for equal representation, more inclusive hiring practices, and a broader focus on women's sports to challenge stereotypes, improve coverage, and give women a stronger voice in shaping sports narratives.

Akem
Akem Nkwain Published on: 18 Nov, 2024
Challenging the Narrative: Jeremy Scahill on the Need for Adversarial Journalism

Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill calls for a revival of "adversarial journalism" to reinstate crucial professional and humanitarian values in mainstream Western media, especially regarding the coverage of the Gaza genocide.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 10 Nov, 2024
Monitoring of Journalistic Malpractices in Gaza Coverage

On this page, the editorial team of the Al Jazeera Journalism Review will collect news published by media institutions about the current war on Gaza that involves disinformation, bias, or professional journalistic standards and its code of ethics.

A picture of the Al Jazeera Media Institute's logo, on a white background.
Al Jazeera Journalism Review Published on: 23 Oct, 2024
A Year of Genocide and Bias: Western Media's Whitewashing of Israel's Ongoing War on Gaza

Major Western media outlets continue to prove that they are a party in the war of narratives, siding with the Israeli occupation. The article explains how these major Western media outlets are still refining their techniques of bias in favor of the occupation, even a year after the genocide in Palestine.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 9 Oct, 2024
Testimonies of the First Witness of the Sabra & Shatila Massacre

The Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982 saw over 3,000 unarmed Palestinian refugees brutally killed by Phalangist militias under the facilitation of Israeli forces. As the first journalist to enter the camps, Japanese journalist Ryuichi Hirokawa provides a harrowing first-hand account of the atrocity amid a media blackout. His testimony highlights the power of bearing witness to a war crime and contrasts the past Israeli public outcry with today’s silence over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Mei Shigenobu مي شيغينوبو
Mei Shigenobu Published on: 18 Sep, 2024
Journalist Mothers in Gaza: Living the Ordeal Twice

Being a journalist, particularly a female journalist covering the genocide in Palestine without any form of protection, makes practicing journalism nearly impossible. When the journalist is also a mother haunted by the fear of losing her children, working in the field becomes an immense sacrifice.

Amani Shninu
Amani Shninu Published on: 15 Sep, 2024
Anonymous Sources in the New York Times... Covering the War with One Eye

The use of anonymous sources in journalism is considered, within professional and ethical standards, a “last option” for journalists. However, analysis of New York Times data reveals a persistent pattern in the use of “anonymity” to support specific narratives, especially Israeli narratives.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 8 Sep, 2024
Cameroonian Journalists at the Center of Fighting Illegal Fishing

While the EU’s red card to Cameroon has undeniably tarnished its image, it has paradoxically unlocked the potential of Cameroonian journalists and ignited a movement poised to reshape the future. Through this shared struggle, journalists, scientists, conservationists, storytellers, and government officials have united, paving the way for a new era of ocean advocacy.

Shuimo Trust Dohyee
Shuimo Trust Dohyee Published on: 21 Aug, 2024
The Gaza Journalist and the "Heart and Mind" Struggle

Inside the heart of a Palestinian journalist living in Gaza, there are two personas: one is a human who wants to protect his own life and that of his family, and the other is a journalist committed to safeguarding the lives of the people by holding on to the truth and staying in the field. Between these two extremes, or what journalist Maram Hamid describes as the struggle between the heart and the mind, the Palestinian journalist continues to share a narrative that the occupation intended to keep "away from the camera."

Maram
Maram Humaid Published on: 18 Aug, 2024
Journalists Recount the Final Moments of Ismail Al-Ghoul

Journalists remembering the slain reporter of Al Jazeera in Northern Gaza, Ismail Al Ghoul. "He insisted on continuing his coverage from the northern part of the Gaza Strip, despite the challenges and obstacles he faced. He was arrested and interrogated by the Israeli army, his brother was killed in an Israeli airstrike, and his father passed away during treatment abroad."

Mohammad Abu Don
Mohammad Abu Don Published on: 11 Aug, 2024
Analysis: Media Disinformation and UK Far-Right Riots

Analysis on the impact of media disinformation on public opinion, particularly during UK riots incited by far-right groups. A look at how sensationalist media can directly influence audience behavior, as per the Hypodermic Needle Theory, leading to normalized discrimination and violence. The need for responsible journalism is emphasized to prevent such harmful effects.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 8 Aug, 2024
Challenges for Female Journalists in Crisis Zones of Cameroon

Testimonies of what female journalists in Cameroon are facing and how they are challenging these difficulties.

Akem
Akem Nkwain Published on: 30 Jul, 2024
From TV Screens to YouTube: The Rise of Exiled Journalists in Pakistan

Pakistani journalists are leveraging YouTube to overcome censorship, connecting with global audiences, and redefining independent reporting in their homeland.

Anam Hussain
Anam Hussain Published on: 28 Jul, 2024
Daughters of Data: African Female Journalists Using Data to Reveal Hidden Truths

A growing network of African women journalists, data scientists, and tech experts is amplifying female voices and highlighting underreported stories across the continent by producing data-driven projects and leveraging digital technologies in storytelling.

Nalova Akua
Nalova Akua Published on: 23 Jul, 2024
Are Podcasts the Future of African Broadcasting?

The surge of podcasts across Africa is a burgeoning trend, encompassing a wide array of themes and subjects, and swiftly expanding across various nations.

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 11 Jul, 2024
Video Volunteers: How India’s Marginalised Groups Tell Their Own Stories

Video creators like Rohini Pawar and Shabnam Begum have transcended societal challenges by producing influential videos with Video Volunteers, highlighting social issues within marginalized communities. Their work exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling in fostering grassroots change and empowerment across India.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 3 Jul, 2024
Climate Journalism in Vietnam's Censored Landscape

In Vietnam, climate journalists face challenges due to censorship and restrictions on press freedom, making it difficult to report environmental issues accurately. Despite these obstacles, there are still journalists working to cover climate stories creatively and effectively, highlighting the importance of climate journalism in addressing environmental concerns.

AJR Contributor Published on: 26 Jun, 2024
Challenges of Investigating Subculture Stories in Japan as a Foreign Correspondent

Japan's vibrant subcultures and feminist activists challenge the reductive narratives often portrayed in Western media. To understand this dynamic society authentically, journalists must approach their reporting with patience, commitment, and empathy, shedding preconceptions and engaging deeply with the nuances of Japanese culture.

Johann Fleuri
Johann Fleuri Published on: 24 Jun, 2024
Covering the War on Gaza: As a Journalist, Mother, and Displaced Person

What takes precedence: feeding a hungry child or providing professional coverage of a genocidal war? Journalist Marah Al Wadiya shares her story of balancing motherhood, displacement, psychological turmoil, and the relentless struggle to find safety in an unsafe region.

Marah Al Wadiya
Marah Al Wadiya Published on: 29 May, 2024
Fighting Misinformation and Disinformation to Foster Social Governance in Africa

Experts in Africa are using various digital media tools to raise awareness and combat the increasing usage of misinformation and disinformation to manipulate social governance.

Derick Matsengarwodzi
Derick Matsengarwodzi Published on: 22 May, 2024
"I Am Still Alive!": The Resilient Voices of Gaza's Journalists

The Israeli occupation has escalated from targeting journalists to intimidating and killing their families. Hisham Zaqqout, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Gaza talks about his experience covering the war and the delicate balance between family obligations and professional duty.

Hisham Zakkout Published on: 15 May, 2024
Under Fire: The Perilous Reality for Journalists in Gaza's War Zone

Journalists lack safety equipment and legal protection, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in Gaza. While Israel denies responsibility for targeting journalists, the lack of international intervention leaves journalists in Gaza exposed to daily danger.

Linda Shalash
Linda Shalash Published on: 9 May, 2024
Elections and Misinformation – India Case Study

Realities are hidden behind memes and political satire in the battle for truth in the digital age. Explore how misinformation is influencing political decisions and impacting first-time voters, especially in India's 2024 elections, and how journalists fact-check and address fake news, revealing the true impact of misinformation and AI-generated content.

Safina
Safina Nabi Published on: 30 Apr, 2024
Amid Increasing Pressure, Journalists in India Practice More Self-Censorship

In a country where nearly 970 million people are participating in a crucial general election, the state of journalism in India is under scrutiny. Journalists face harassment, self-censorship, and attacks, especially under the current Modi-led government. Mainstream media also practices self-censorship to avoid repercussions. The future of journalism in India appears uncertain, but hope lies in the resilience of independent media outlets.

Hanan Zaffa
Hanan Zaffar, Jyoti Thakur Published on: 25 Apr, 2024