He attacked journalists while he was in power, the well-known former president is fined almost 10,000 euros

An appeals court in Sao Paulo on Thursday upheld the conviction of Brazil's far-right ex-president Jaich Bolsonaro, who had been indicted for his ongoing attacks on journalists during his term (2019-2022).

The court confirmed a first-instance decision of June 2022, which acquitted the Union of Professional Journalists of the State of São Paulo (SJPSP), the latter reported on its website. SJPSP had taken legal action against Bolsonaro for his "repeated attacks" on journalists, which it said amounted to "systematic moral harassment" against "all" media professionals.

However, the Court of Appeal halved the damages and interest the former president was ordered to pay, to 50,000 reais (9,250 euros), instead of the 100,000 awarded at first instance. "This victory is a big step for the entire profession of journalists, since during the term of Jaich Bolsonaro it has suffered repeated attacks", emphasized this association of editors of the state of São Paulo.

When in power, Mr. Bolsonaro relentlessly accused the press of spreading fake news about his environment to damage it. He had repeatedly succeeded against the media and journalists - especially women. The former president's lawyers argued during the process that their client is not working against the profession as a whole, but against specific individuals.