Government in war of narratives over “Bolsonaro Hitler” magazine cover

The federal government sent an out-of-court notice to weekly Brazilian magazine IstoÉ after it criticized far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on a recent cover, referring to him as the “merchant of death” and depicting him as Adolf Hitler.

The article in question was a scathing attack on Mr. Bolsonaro’s coronavirus response, claiming that the Senate’s soon-to-be-completed Covid inquiry is Brazil’s answer to the Nuremberg trials. “It is time to comprehend the extent of the catastrophe perpetrated by the president and his cronies,” reads the piece. However, instead of claiming a standard right of reply, the federal government suggested that IstoÉ completely rework its article, replacing the issue’s cover for one of their choosing.

In place of the article entitled “The architect of tragedy,” the government’s legal counsel suggested a piece called “Live, jobs, dignity,” detailing the “programs and public progress developed by the Brazilian state since the beginning of the health crisis.”

In place of the Hitler-esque cover, the Solicitor General’s suggestion looks more like a federal government campaign poster, with Mr. Bolsonaro embracing smiling Brazilians and parading during the country’s September 7 independence celebrations. The Solicitor General’s office promises to take legal action if the suggestions are not accepted within seven days.

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