Lula VS. Larry Rohter: Misconceptions in international coverage

• Main Author: Heloiza Golbspan Herckovitz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Pesquisadores em Jornalismo 2007-06-01
• Series: Brazilian Journalism Research
• Subjects: Freedom of expression; Freedom of the press; Human Rights; Regulation; Content analysis
• Online Access: https://bjr.sbpjor.org.br/bjr/article/view/105

This article discusses the confl ict between the New York Times foreign correspondent Larry Rohter and Brazil’s President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva over a story published by the American newspaper on May 9, 2004 accusing the President of being a drunkard. Larry Rohter’s piece was criticized for its lack of facts and of reliable sources, and for its ironic overtone. President Lula was criticized for cancelling the journalist’s visa, a measure later revoked because of public pressure. The case exemplifi es a well-know sequence of misconceptions and stereotypes from both sides (the world’s most prestigious newspaper and the president of the largest country in Latin America), which brings to light a much needed discussion on the quality of international news coverage, press freedom and social responsibility. This article also attempts to advance the discussion on how framing – second level agenda-setting —may infl uence how we think about foreign political leaders.