Valério Nascimento

Valério Nascimento was a Brazilian owner, editor, and journalist for the Panorama Geral, which had published issues that were critical of local authorities in São Paulo state. Nascimento was shot twice in the backyard of his home on May 3, 2011, which is World Press Freedom Day. The motive is unknown, but is believed to have been politically driven.

Personal Valério Nascimento was 48 years old when he was murdered on May 3, 2011.

Career Nascimento owned the newspaper Panorama Geral and was also an editor and journalist for the paper. Panorama Geral had only published four issues before he was killed. The latest edition published articles about alleged irregularities in the mayors office. On May 4, the Committee to Protect Journalists insisted that local authorities coordinate a rigorous investigation of his murder to see if it was work related. There has been no proof of any motive so far.

Context Violence against journalists was on the rise in Brazil in 2011, with two other Brazilian journalists killed and a blogger shot and wounded. In April, less than a month before Nascimento was murdered, Luciano Leitão Pedrosa, a radio and television journalist known for his critical coverage of local authorities and criminal groups, was shot in Pernambuco state. Ricardo Gama, a critical political blogger, was seriously wounded in March when he was shot in the head, neck, and chest as he walked in his Rio de Janeiro neighborhood.

Reactions "Brazilian authorities must thoroughly investigate Valério Nascimento's murder, determine if it was work-related, and bring those responsible to justice," said Carlos Lauría, CPJ's senior coordinator for the Americas. "We are alarmed by a series of violent attacks this year targeting journalists who report on official corruption."

“Valério Nascinento was a journalist, newspaper owner and a politician, and his killing marks a clear attack on the right of citizens to engage in debate and political action; two essential and inter-related rights in any free democracy” the Director-General said. ‘I condemn his murder and I trust the authorities of Brazil will not let this crime - that took place as we were celebrating World Press Freedom Day - go unpunished.”

The press freedom organization added: “We pay tribute to Valério Nascimento and we urge those investigating the case to carefully examine the possibility that he was killed in connection with his work as a journalist. We also urge them to move quickly.”