São Paulo, March 20, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Brazilian authorities to swiftly and comprehensively investigate the leaking of UOL news journalist Thiago Herdy’s personal information and photos online following his investigative series on alleged emergency works contract irregularities in the municipality of São Paulo.
“It is clear that posting details of Thiago Herdy’s private life on an anonymous site was meant to intimidate him for his investigative work,” said CPJ’s Latin America program coordinator, Cristina Zahar. “The authorities must investigate immediately to identify and hold those responsible to account.”
Herdy, a veteran journalist of 20 years, began publishing a series of UOL reports in March 2024 that found 223 of 307 emergency contracts signed during São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes’ first term showed possible collusion between the companies invited to carry out the work. The Public Prosecutor’s Office intervened to press the mayor’s office for more information after the series was published.
On March 7, Herdy discovered that photos of him and his family, legally protected information about his income, and false claims about his assets had been posted on an alleged news page hosted by site developer Wix. The website also referred to Herdy’s UOL reports and the alleged emergency contract irregularities. It was disabled on March 11 after Herdy alerted Wix.
The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism published a statement condemning the incident as an attempt to censor Herdy.
CPJ’s email to the press office of the Municipal Department of Infrastructure and Works and the mayor’s office went unanswered.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2025-03-20T18:03:19+00:00) Brazilian reporter’s personal information, photos leaked following investigative work. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2025/03/20/brazilian-reporters-personal-information-photos-leaked-following-investigative-work/
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