Explaining Brazil

The Brazilian Report

News from Brazil, by The Brazilian Report — an independent media outlet uniquely positioned to offer an insider’s view of current affairs in Brazil.

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391 episodes
Updated July 24

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Episodes391

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Aug 2, 2023 · 18 min
Will justice be served for Mariana?
Almost eight years ago, Brazil suffered its biggest environmental disaster in history, when the Fundão dam in Mariana burst and spilled an untold torrent of toxic sludge into the Rio Doce. Now, a gigantic class-action suit in England seeks proper reparations. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jul 29, 2023 · 26 min
Bonus Episode: Brazil's shot at World Cup glory
We speak with Ivi Casagrande, head of performance at Brazil's national women's football team, in an exclusive interview straight from Australia, where she discusses Brazil's World Cup chances, Marta's last dance, and the history of the women's game in Brazil. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jul 26, 2023 · 17 min
A city swallowed by the ground
Petrochemical giant Braskem announced that it has reached a settlement with the city of Maceió to pay compensation for the destruction of entire neighborhoods, caused by abusive salt mining by the company. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jul 19, 2023 · 24 min
Threads of concern?
Meta's new social media Threads is already one of Brazil's most downloaded apps. But privacy experts in Brazil are concerned that the new network is less than compliant with the country's data protection laws. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jul 12, 2023 · 29 min
Better equipped to fight corruption?
Corruption has become less of a top-of-mind issue in Brazil, but a study from AS/COA and Control Risks suggests the country's anti-corruption tools are stronger with Jair Bolsonaro out of office. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jul 5, 2023 · 20 min
Bolsonaro banned for good?
The Superior Electoral Court banned Jair Bolsonaro from electoral politics for eight years. But other cases could extend that period. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jun 28, 2023 · 40 min
The Central Bank's Jekyll & Hyde moment
Less than a week after issuing a hawkish statement on its latest policy decision, the Central Bank changed its tone, and made markets anticipate imminent interest rate cuts. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jun 21, 2023 · 26 min
Do-or-die moment for Mercosur and the EU?
The EU and Mercosur reached an agreement on a trade deal back in 2019. But since then, nothing much has happened — and the window of opportunity may be closing. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jun 14, 2023 · 32 min
How YouTube helped pollute Brazil's public discourse
YouTube’s recommendation algorithm might have been a key weapon for the far-right to firehose public discourse with disinformation. Read show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Jun 7, 2023 · 36 min
The legacy of June 2013
Ten years after Brazil's June 2013 protests, we look back and analyze what they meant, where they came from, and what legacy they have left us. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
May 31, 2023 · 37 min
Lula not so green after all?
For foreign observers, Lula's environmental promises were among the most important facets of his campaign. And less than six months in, there are fears that many of these pledges may have been empty words. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
May 24, 2023 · 31 min
Brazil and effective multilateralism
Wars, pandemics, and global inequalities show that countries need to work together in order to thrive. We explore how to achieve effective multilateralism, and where Brazil fits into the global equation. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
May 17, 2023 · 23 min
Petrobras ends pricing parity policy
Since mid-2016, Petrobras had pegged fuel prices in refineries to international fluctuations. That policy is gone four and a half months into the Lula administration. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
May 10, 2023 · 33 min
Why the world should pay attention to Brazil's 'Fake News Bill'
As the world debates social media regulation, Brazil's Congress and Supreme Court are tackling the issue as we speak. We discuss why the world should be paying notice. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
May 4, 2023 · 25 min
Web Summit Rio special
This week, The Brazilian Report has been on the ground at Web Summit Rio, one of the world's biggest tech events, being held outside of Europe for the first time. Over four days of panels, lectures, and events, Web Summit Rio has its full capacity, attracting more than 21,000 attendees from 91 countries. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Apr 26, 2023 · 23 min
Explosive January 8 hearings about to begin
Congressional inquiries make up for their limited powers with their very public nature, being more suited to political point-scoring than real accountability. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Apr 19, 2023 · 29 min
Lula's new world order
Brazilian allies saw Lula as a man who would recover Brazil's international clout. Three months, several statements, and a visit to China later, they may no longer be so sure. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Apr 12, 2023 · 1 hr 57 min
100-day summary
The Brazilian Report and the Wilson Center's Brazil Institute hosted an event to discuss Lula's first 100 days in office. What can we make of the start of the new government? Read our special report on the government's first achievements and challenges. Send us your feedback Support the show
Apr 5, 2023 · 28 min
Bolsonaro trial nears verdict
This week, Brazil's top electoral court reaches the final stage of a trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of abusing his political power to sow disinformation in the voting system. If convicted, he will lose his political rights. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show
Mar 29, 2023 · 22 min
Congressional cold war
The heads of the House and Senate are locked in a cold war over how Congress should appraise provisional decrees submitted by the federal government. Show notes. Send us your feedback Support the show

Explaining Brazil

Support the show

Will justice be served for Mariana?

Bonus Episode: Brazil's shot at World Cup glory

A city swallowed by the ground

Threads of concern?

Better equipped to fight corruption?

Bolsonaro banned for good?

The Central Bank's Jekyll & Hyde moment

Do-or-die moment for Mercosur and the EU?

How YouTube helped pollute Brazil's public discourse

The legacy of June 2013

Lula not so green after all?

Brazil and effective multilateralism

Petrobras ends pricing parity policy

Why the world should pay attention to Brazil's 'Fake News Bill'

Web Summit Rio special

Explosive January 8 hearings about to begin

Lula's new world order

100-day summary

Bolsonaro trial nears verdict

Congressional cold war