Sunday, August 22, 2010



Satire banned in Brazil ahead of presidential election

We read:
"Brazil's comedians and satirists have been banned from making fun of candidates ahead of the nation's presidential election in October. The legal ban could last until a possible runoff on Oct 31.

Brazilian performers are planning to fight for their right to ridicule with protests in Rio de Janeiro and other cities on Sunday.

Dubbed the "anti-joking law", the relic of Brazil's 1964-1985 dictatorship prohibits ridiculing candidates in the three months before elections. Critics say the ban threatens free speech and is a blight on the reputation of Latin America's largest nation.

Source

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Americans, who actually still believe that they're a free people, (LOL) would probably find this law outrageous. Personally, i believe comedians should not be allowed to mock, insult, or make fun of people running for political office during a campaign, since it distorts the clear image of the candidates the voters must have. Also, the media should not be allowed to report any items about the campaign or election, unless those items are factual.

Of course, what i'm suggesting is not allowing the entertainment industry, or their close partners, the media, to interfere with, manipulate, or otherwise distort the electoral process, something that has now become a standard practice in the US, and their present govt. is living proof.

Anonymous said...

Anon 3:49,

What are you running for?

Anon 3:49 said...

I'm running for exactly what we need at this time in our history. Fuhrer.

Stan B said...

Anon 3:49 AM - there has NEVER been a time in this country where mocking, insulting, or making fun of political candidates has been off-limits, nor will there ever be!

Political Cartoons date to Martin Luther (circa 16th Century) and have been a staple of American Politics since before the founding of the Republic (c.f. Benjamin Franklin, 1754)

To claim that such activity "distorts the clear image" the voters need to make informed decisions would imply that candidates present a "clear image" to begin with. It is extremely naive to believe that a candidate ever presents himself "warts and all" to the public.

Anonymous said...

Stan B...never say never. With the PC concept growing ever more crazy in the US, political humor leading up to a campaign could be made illegal tomorrow.

I think most reasonable people consider the source of the comment. If it was made by a comedian, it was obviously meant to be funny and should not be taken seriously. People aren't as simple and sensitive as the MSM makes them out to be.