FE ATUR E A RT ICLE S
Breaking barriers in Brazil Free media in Brazil is under threat. But one TV station — the largest in the country — is fighting back, covering arts, culture and education in a free and independent manner. by Anne Samba, DW editor
20 Weltzeit 2 | 2021
Based in São Paulo, TV Cultura had its first broadcast in 1969. It is part of Funda ção Padre Anchieta — a non-profit foundation which aims to offer programming in the public interest, without influence from commercial or governmental entities. TV Cultura’s audience is as diverse as its programming. “It reflects the diversity of the Brazilian people,” says Programming Director Eneas Carlos Pereira about the TV station which can be watched throughout Brazil via more than 150 partner stations. “TV Cultura’s audience and broadcast performance are built through dialogue with Brazil’s populations outside the urban axis, which means riverside and rural populations as well as communities in the periphery. They are our major target,” he shares. The television’s programming focuses predominantly on educational and cultural topics but also offers sports as entertainment. Its priorities include educating children and young people, and shaping opinions. During the pandemic, TV Cultura created a channel dedicated to broadcasting classes by the public-school network to children and young people. With people spending more time at home, the TV station registered an increase not only within its children and teen audience, but also within its nighttime audience of 50+ year-olds.
