Bocardi embroiled in controversy at SBT

Rodrigo Bocardi, who recently took over at the helm of SBT Cidades, is back at the center of a controversy after being accused by Jones Donizette, former Secretary of Technology and Communication of Embu das Artes, of pressuring city halls to avoid criticism in exchange for favorable treatment on his shows. The complaint, released on September 2, was based on recordings that Donizette claims to possess and which, according to him, support the accusation against the journalist.

extortion allegations

Donizette alleged that Bocardi used "Prefeitura Parceira" (Partner City Hall) to pressure mayors and political leaders, ensuring that criticisms would not be published. The former secretary said that the commercial partnership involved running institutional advertising contracted by public administrations, and that, in Bocardi's version, joining the partnership would not prevent the disclosure of problems reported by the population.

sbt reacts to the case

SBT reported that it became aware of the allegation through social media and is monitoring the case to evaluate potential measures. On September 10, the network removed Bocardi from hosting the newscast, but confirmed that he has not left SBT. In an Instagram live broadcast, the journalist declared that he "did not leave SBT."

termination of the partnership with bocaTV

One month after Bocardi's debut on SBT Cidades, SBT and the media company BocaTV, owned by the journalist, ended their partnership by mutual agreement. Since September 8, BocaTV has no longer been linked to the network and has focused its activities on its own digital platforms. The agreement, provided for under the terms of the partnership, did not alter Bocardi's contract with SBT, and he remains hired to host the newscast and for future projects.

conclusion of the case

SBT reinforced that the contractual matters involving BocaTV do not interfere with its professional relationship with Bocardi. The extortion case remains under analysis, and the network is keeping the accusation open while evaluating possible measures.

With information from VEJA, Estadão.