Bring You The News As - Or Before - It Happens

It seems that Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton were on to something. The acclaimed writers of ‘Drop The Dead Donkey’ (and many others) created intrepid news reporter Damian Day who was so keen to get to the news first that he sometimes created it. Brazilian Politician and TV host Wallace Souza is accused of doing just that but for real.

Souza’s ratings hit programme ‘Canal Livre’ gained a reputation over its 20 year run for being on the scene first but suspicions were aroused when they seemed to be there before the police. The kernel of the doubt seems to have been around for over a year since one of Souza’s bodyguards was accused of nine murders and he confessed that at least one had been aired on ‘Canal Livre’ – ordered by his boss. The case against Souza is based on the accusation that he had links with organised crime – i.e. the very groups that his programme is intended to uncover.

To cap the story, once accused Souza himself went on the run and no doubt became a prime time draw subject in his own right. He has now given himself up and is subject to arrest now that his immunity as a member of the state legislature has been removed.

From an outsider’s perspective this dual role of politician and TV presenter is both odd and maybe at the root of such a bizarre situation. According to The Guardian, Souza (an ex Policeman himself) was in his third term and enjoying the highest voting rates in recent elections so his outspoken commitment to clean the streets had an obviously effective populist ring but maybe the TV connection was a step too far. Policing is policing, politics is politics and entertainment is entertainment. When they mix it can be a bit too ‘L.A. Confidential’ (indeed Souza claims that he was able to get to the crime scene first because of information supplied by informants within the police)

Lest this sound just a slightly amusing oddity, it should be remembered that Souza is accused of ordering at least five murders. He is one of 20 arrested – including his son – on suspicion of involvement with organised crime that fuelled this curious story.
’