In Brazil, radio show celebrates 35 years defending women's rights
Viva Maria was the first show to give voice to women.
Brazilian radio-pioneer in the fight for women's rights, Viva Maria radio show celebrated 35 years on air this Wednesday (Sep. 14). Hosted by journalist Mara Régia, the show gave rise to the Continental Day of Women's Image in Communications.
At the cultural space of Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) in Brasília, Mara Régia ran a conversation circle to discuss the media's portrayal of women in order to celebrate the radio show anniversary. According to her, the initiative comes in a good time. "Given the political context we live in today, we get a feeling of déjà vu, as if we were still taking the first steps when the show occupied the central bus station holding a megaphone asking for women's rights. In the 80s, crimes involving women and children left Brasília traumatized," she noted.
However, the journalist pointed out that cases of violence and machismo still happen. "We have advanced and moved back at absurd levels. Not only violence issues are crawling, but there was a recrudescence of machismo. "
Viva Maria was the first show to give voice to women.
"We used to be on air for over three hours and this time was used to put women's movements on air. We discussed whether we should or should not play Mãe heroína [Heroine mother] song by Lindomar Castilho, who killed singer Eliane de Grammont [his ex-wife]. In our show, killers have no voice."
Women in Rio 2016
As part of the 35-year-old celebration, journalist Marina Pita, from Patrícia Galvão Institute, presented a study on the media's portrayal of women during the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The study revealed that not only women sports received less coverage during Olympics, but women's pictures also expressed prejudice. News reports of women sports had pictures in which athletes were photographed in vulgar positions.
In general, the media minimized or even disqualified women's Olympic medalists' victories.
Viva Maria program, broadcast in Portuguese, is on air from Monday to Friday at the Rádio Nacional da Amazônia [Amazônia Radio National], Rádio Nacional de Brasília [Brasília National Radio], Rádio Nacional do Rio de Janeiro [Rio de Janeiro National Radio] and Rádio Nacional do Alto Solimões [Alto Solimões National Radio], all broadcast by EBC. The program is also available at Radioagência Nacional's website: www.radioagencianacional.ebc.com.br.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: In Brazil, radio show celebrates 35 years defending women's rights
