Justice gives Union and EBC 72 hours to explain Janja’s live broadcast

The 25th Federal Civil Court of São Paulo determined, this Tuesday (13), a deadline of 72 hours for the Union and the Brazilian Communication Company (EBC), to explain the transmission of a live with first lady Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja, on March 7, on state TV.

Judge Djalma Moreira Gomes opened the deadline for defense, stating that the Union and the EBC should be heard, to guarantee a “contradictory minimum” before any decision is taken.

The use of the state structure by Lula’s wife was questioned by the councilor of São Paulo, Rubinho Nunes (União Brasil). In the representation to the Federal Court, he asked for the removal of the program from the broadcaster’s platforms, and that Janja no longer participate in the programming of TV Brasil. This conduct by the first lady, according to the councilor, violates the impersonality of the public service.

In the lawsuit, Nunes mentions that both President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and Janja “use EBC as a publicity of government achievements, completely distorting the company’s competences and mortally wounding the limits of Law 11,652/2008”.

Federal deputy Kim Kataguiri (União Brasil-SP) also reported that he filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court against the live broadcast. “It is immoral and unconstitutional for the President of the Republic to use the First Lady on a public television network to praise the government,” said Kataguiri.

The First Lady used the structure of TV Brasil to do a live, on the 7th, to promote actions by the federal government to combat violence against women. She presented the program “Papo de Respeito”, broadcast on YouTube, with the participation of Minister Cida Gonçalves, for Women, and actress Luana Xavier. The PT itself had already criticized the practice during the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

wanted by People’s Gazette, Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) reported that “it was not notified about the action”. Regarding the first lady’s live, the company reiterated “that it fulfilled the service provision contract signed with the Social Communication Secretariat (Secom). The contract provides for live broadcasts, based on demand defined by Secom”.

“We also emphasize that the first lady is not the presenter of any program on TV Brasil. The transmission was aired over the internet, on the profiles on social networks of TV BrasilGov”, informed the EBC. The Planalto Palace has yet to comment on action against the first lady.