The contribution of the liberal-conservative press to the crisis of Dilma Rousseff’s second term

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the role played by the “liberal-conservative” press in the course of governments by the Workers Party (PT) in Brazil. We introduce the problem examining Lula’s terms in office (2003–2010), defined by political stability, his charismatic leadership and the emergence of corruption allegations in the press. With the effects of the economic slowdown and the emergence of the June 2013 demonstrations, corruption demands adopted a relevance that was instigated by the press. Finally, we discuss the role played by the press in the presidential elections of 2014 and the crisis of Dilma’s second term. We analyze the role played by the “liberal-conservative” press at this critical conjuncture and its influence in producing the political polarization that emerged in Brazilian society after the 2014 elections, which led to Dilma’s impeachment. Through its engagement in a moralistic campaign in the context of the crisis of Dilma’s second term, we argue that the liberal-conservative press repeated an elitist pattern in Brazilian history, causing an imbalance in the sustainability of Brazilian democracy.