Lula’s first live has low ratings and does not talk about sensitive government issues

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) premiered, this Tuesday morning (13), the first live to comment on government actions over the internet. The program “Conversa com o Presidente” was broadcast on his personal YouTube channel and had less than 40,000 views by 12:00.

The production of the live took place after more than five months of government as a communication strategy to amplify government actions beyond interviews and reports in press vehicles and official media, and was pointed out as a failure of the presidential team in not occupying digital networks more routinely. The expectation is that the transmission will be carried out weekly.

The live format was widely used throughout the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who made broadcasts on Thursdays his personal channel of communication with Brazilian voters. Views reached peaks of more than half a million viewers in some of them, made spontaneously.

In the first live of the new government, Lula adopted a format of interview program led by journalist Marcos Uchôa and questions about government actions. The broadcast itself was just over half an hour long and had around 6,000 views.

The president felt comfortable answering questions about programs like Bolsa Família; My home, my life; the future announcement of a work program similar to the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program), to be launched on July 2nd, among other matters.

Sensitive issues left out

Lula, however, did not comment on the more delicate issues of his government, such as the difficulty in forming a solid base in the National Congress to pass projects of interest; the recent pressure from União Brasil for more space on the Esplanada dos Ministérios – the live took place minutes before a meeting with Minister Daniela Carneiro, of Tourism, who is in the party’s sights –; the need to release billionaire amendments to get votes in the Chamber of Deputies, among others.

The president also complained about the “short time” of his mandate, four years, to be able to carry out the actions he plans. For him, there are difficulties in carrying out works, investment, “there is inspection, the Court of Auditors, Congress that has to pass many things”.

Still during the live, Lula said that he will demand more agility from ministers in carrying out portfolio actions, which should take place at the ministerial meeting scheduled for Thursday (15).