Attacks on journalists in Brazil up 60% in 2016

BRASILIA, Feb 22 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Attacks and threats against journalists in Brazil jumped by a whopping 60 percent in 2016, compared to the year before, a report released on Tuesday said.

The figure puts Brazil among the 10 most dangerous countries in the world for reporters, warned the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Networks (Abert) in a study titled "Violations against Freedom of Expression."

At least 174 journalists denounced having been the target of a physical attack or threat last year, compared to 116 in 2015, news agency O Globo reported, citing the study.

2016 was a year of political turmoil in Brazil, where left-leaning president Dilma Rousseff was impeached by a conservative legislature for alleged fiscal wrongdoing.

Most of the violent incidents targeting reporters occurred during clashes between pro-Rousseff supporters and those in favor of impeachment. (PNA/Xinhua)
LOR/SSC