JOURNALISM IN THE LIMITS OF FREEDOM: the press coverage of cases of religious accused of practicing subversive activities during the military regime

Abstract

This research analyzes the covering done by the press during the military dictatorship in Brazil, based on five cases of religious people accused by the military dictatorship for subversive practices. This analysis reports to the historical period dated from 1968 to 1977. The four cases studied were selected among eighteen announced by the press that time. Fifty-three news were published in the following newspapers: Folha de S. Paulo, Jornal do Brasil, O Estado de S. Paulo and O Globo. The covering by the press is analyzed from the perspective of hypothesis approach by the Agenda-setting and from the classification given to the news. In the case of press arrangement, the reference is the actuation of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil - CNBB) as promoter of news and defender of religious people and human rights. It can also be observed the classification given by the press to the cases of religious people accused of subversive practices as well as if there was a link between what the CNBB planned and what was released by the newspapers then.