Brazil Restricts Environmental Employees' Media Contact After Report

"BRASILIA - Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama on Thursday published an order restricting contact between its employees and journalists, following a Reuters report on thousands of cargos of Amazon rainforest wood being exported without agency authorization.

The order, published in the official government gazette and signed by Ibama chief Eduardo Bim, states that contact with reporters must only be conducted through its press office or a representative designated by the press office.

The directive instructs department chiefs and other leaders at the agency to enforce the rules and report any knowledge of contact with journalists. "

Jake Spring reports for Reuters March 5, 2020.

Source: Reuters, 03/09/2020