Government Seeks New Controls on Media

Brazil’s government is seeking new press controls -- dubbed a gag law by the media -- after magazines sparked political and market turmoil by reporting that the nation’s bank chief had dodged taxes.

Cabinet chief Jose Dirceu said the legislation is meant to stop leaks of documents such as those cited in the reports on central bank chief Henrique Meirelles. The bill, introduced in Congress last week, would create a federal journalism council to supervise the media and punish journalists who illegally reveal confidential records or phone conversations. Reporters could be barred from full-time print, radio or TV work.

A columnist for Sunday’s O Globo newspaper, part of Brazil’s most powerful media network, said the council smacked of “Big Brother.”