The President Of Brazil Called Journalists Cowardly And Had A High Chance Of Death From COVID-19

Presiden Brasil Jair Bolsonaro (Sumber: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is again "attacking" journalists. After previously threatening to hit the face, he now calls journalists cowardly and says they have a high chance of dying from COVID-19 because their bodies are not athletic. Bolsonaro said this at an event held on Monday 24 August.

The former right-wing army captain has long had an unhappy relationship with the media, according to Reuters on Tuesday, August 25. He often cites certain newspapers and journalists as the cause of his anger. His followers also attack journalists at rallies and other public events.

On Sunday 23 August, Bolsonaro told a reporter "I want to punch you in the face," after the journalist inquired about the thousands of dollars transferred to his wife's bank account by his former aide. The former aide is now the target of a corruption investigation.

During an event titled 'Beating COVID-19' Bolsonaro described his own experience fighting COVID-19 in July. He praised the use of the drug hydroxychloroquine and because of his reputation as an athlete, it made his symptoms of COVID-19 mild. Bolsonaro has previously said frequently that he believes his athletic past makes him immune to the worst-hit coronavirus.

On the contrary, he seemed to make fun of journalists by calling him weak and had a low chance of survival if he was exposed to COVID-19. "The press is feasting on him, but when (COVID-19) makes one of you weaker, your chances of survival are lower," Bolsonaro told journalists.

“You only know how to do evil, to use a pen for evil. Your chances of survival are slightly lower, "Bolsonaro told journalists.

Earlier this month, local media reported that Bolsonaro's aide, Fabricio Queiroz, deposited US $ 12,900 in cash. The money he sent in the form of a check to Michelle Bolsonaro's account between 2011 and 2018.

Queiroz was also an aide to Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro's eldest son, while serving as a legislator for the state of Rio de Janeiro. The former aide was arrested during an investigation into the then-conducted bank deposit of 1.2 million Brazilian rials.