Glenn Greenwald Reported on Corruption in Brazil, Government Targets Him for 'Investigation'

When you criticize the government, and better yet, when you expose their corruption, they put a target on your back. Many of us know this all too well, especially with the persecution of Julian Assange.

_Source

Glen Greenwald is now joining the ranks of those who expose government misbehavior. Like Assange, Greenwald got his hands on leaked records he used to report on the right-wing Brazilian government's "Operation Car Wash" sting.

The Brazilian government's finance ministry's money laundering unit has tasked the federal police iwth investigating Greenwald's finances. Why? They allege he paid for the leaked info. That's it.

Even if he did, which I doubt, what's wrong with buying information? Nothing. But there is something wrong, and that's the government trying to get back at journalists who expose their dirty shit. Just like Assange, the government of Brazil didn't like being embarrassed and it seeking to punish journalism. University of Sao Paulo law professor Pierpaolo Bottini said:

"If there is an investigation for doing journalism it is illegal and it is an attempt at intimidation."

Exactly. Launching a criminal investigation to go after someone for exposing your dirty shit is highly immoral. It sends the message that the government will go after you if you out them for doing bad things. The sad thing is this further demonstrates the corruption of said government.

Trevor Timm of the Freedom of the Press Foundation said:

"Criminally investigating journalist Glenn Greenwald for reporting on corruption within the Bolsonaro government is a shocking violation of his rights as a reporter. Worse, the same person who is the primary subject of The Intercept's reporting—Minister of Justice Sergio Moro—would also have ultimate authority over any Federal Police investigation."

Mr. David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. He made a statement about this situation:

"The Special Rapporteurs remind the Brazilian State that it has an obligation to prevent, protect, investigate, and punish violence against journalists, particularly those who have been subjected to harassment and threats or other acts of violence. The obligation to prevent entails, among other things, the duty to adopt a public discourse that contributes to preventing violence against journalists, which "requires that public officials refrain from making statements that expose journalists and media workers to a greater risk of acts of violence." Furthermore, the Office of the Special Rapporteur of the UN indicated that "The State shall insure the physical and psychological integrity of journalists.""

The freedom of press and of free speech is really getting hit all over the world. Many places already have high restriction on free speech and press freedom, but we're seeing more encroachment in the Western nations where these are supposed to be tenets we are proud to have and defend. It seems the West is dying on many fronts. How long do we have left to preserve, let alone advance, the cause of freedom in our societies?

Thank you for your time and attention. Peace.

_{If you appreciate and value the content, please consider: Upvoting, Sharing or Reblogging below.
me for more content to come!}

Like what I do? Then consider giving me a vote on the Witness page :) Thanks!

_{My goal is to share knowledge, truth and moral understanding in order to help change the world for the better. If you appreciate and value what I do, please consider supporting me as a Steem Witness by voting for me at the bottom of the Witness page.}

Posted from KURE