Brazil Gets Flack Over Reporter Expulsion

[Freddie Stubbs]

By VIVIAN SEQUERA, Associated Press Writer

BRASILIA, Brazil - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came under criticism Wednesday for deciding to expel a New York Times correspondent who had written a story saying the Brazilian leader was a heavy drinker.

The newspaper protested the order against correspondent Larry Rohter and said it "would take appropriate action to defend his rights."

Rohter's visa was canceled and he was given eight days to leave the country — the first expulsion of a journalist since the 20-year military dictatorship ended in 1984. The last time a foreign journalist was expelled was in the 1970s.

"It's a political mistake. The government managed to transform a victory into a defeat — it went from victim to villain. There is no precedent for this during democracy," said Sen. Jefferson Peres of the left-leaning Democratic Labor Party.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=8&u=/ap/20040512/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_reporter

[Blue_Tires]

1. strange actions

from my future adopted country...I'm also a journalist...hopefully i can get a little better treatment

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. You may want to choose a different career

If that is how they treat journalists.