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June 19, 2025 – Brazil –
On May 27, 2025, Brazilian journalist Luis Augusto Carneiro da Costa was shot dead while broadcasting live on Guarany FM, a community radio station in Abaetetuba, in the northern state of Pará. Two masked gunmen stormed the studio during his program and fatally shot him in front of listeners and colleagues. The killing has shocked the region and sparked national and international outrage.
Da Costa, 46, had more than two decades of experience in local journalism. He was known for engaging with grassroots issues and was deeply connected to his community. His radio show frequently discussed social concerns, potentially placing him at odds with powerful local interests. So far, no motive has been officially confirmed, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the murder and called for a swift and transparent investigation. RSF’s Latin America Director, Artur Romeu, urged authorities to consider the journalist’s professional work as a potential motive, rather than treating the murder as an isolated criminal act. He stressed that targeting journalists in the line of duty poses a severe threat to press freedom and democracy.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay also condemned the killing, calling for a “quick and thorough investigation” to bring those responsible to justice. She emphasized that attacks on journalists must never go unpunished, as impunity emboldens further violence and silences critical voices.
Brazil has long struggled with violence against journalists, especially in remote areas like the Amazon, where local corruption and organized crime are common. Community media workers like da Costa are particularly vulnerable, often working without institutional protection or national visibility.
This murder adds to a grim list of unresolved journalist killings in Brazil. Press freedom groups are urging the Brazilian government to not only solve this case but also to implement stronger protections for journalists, particularly those reporting in high-risk regions. The killing of Luis Augusto Carneiro da Costa has become a litmus test for Brazil’s commitment to press freedom, justice, and the protection of local media voices.
Reference –
Community radio journalist killed on air in Brazilian Amazon; RSF calls for investigation
