Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Globo hosts Flávio Bolsonaro before interview, drawing Lula campaign criticism
TV Globo hosted presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro for lunch at its Rio de Janeiro headquarters on Friday, before his interview on the broadcaster’s Jornal Nacional.
Globo executives João Roberto Marinho and Paulo Tonet met with him, but the broadcaster said no journalism leaders attended.
Lula had been interviewed the day before and did not meet the executives; his campaign said he had not been invited to a similar lunch.
Globo said the visit was institutional, that such meetings with candidates are customary, and that it would have met Lula if his campaign had asked.
Lula and his campaign questioned the meeting’s timing and the broadcaster’s impartiality, since it took place on the same day as Flávio’s interview.
Lula said Globo was under suspicion from his campaign and did not deserve trust.
His remarks may affect whether he attends Globo’s debate next Thursday, though he has not said in the sources that he will skip it.
TV Globo hosted presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro for a lunch at its Rio de Janeiro headquarters on Friday, hours before his interview on the network.
The meeting was with Globo Group president João Roberto Marinho and institutional relations vice-president Paulo Tonet; the network said no journalism leaders attended.
Lula’s campaign criticized the timing, saying it raised concerns about impartiality, while Globo described the visit as institutional and said it would have received Lula if his campaign had asked.
Lula later said Globo was under suspicion regarding his candidacy and did not deserve trust.
Lula had been interviewed by Globo on Thursday, the day before Flávio’s scheduled interview.
- Who
- Flávio Bolsonaro, presidential candidate for the PL, met Globo Group president João Roberto Marinho and institutional relations vice-president Paulo Tonet.
- What
- Globo hosted Flávio for a lunch before his interview on the network. Lula and his campaign criticized the meeting’s timing.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026, hours before Flávio’s interview.
- Where
- TV Globo’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Why
- Globo said the visit was institutional and that such courtesy meetings with candidates are usual. Lula’s campaign said the timing raised concerns about impartiality.
Lula’s campaign
TV Globo
Timing and impartiality
Lula’s campaign
The campaign called the visit on the day of Flávio’s interview inappropriate and said it raised concerns about impartiality.
TV Globo
Globo described the meeting as an institutional visit and said courtesy meetings with candidates are usual.
Lula’s opportunity to meet executives
Lula’s campaign
The campaign said Lula had not been invited to a similar lunch.
TV Globo
Globo said it would have received Lula if his campaign had requested a visit.
Flávio Bolsonaro had an earlier meeting with Globo executives as part of visits to major media outlets, according to Metrópoles, as reported by ICL Notícias.
Lula was interviewed by Globo.
Globo hosted Flávio for lunch at its Rio de Janeiro headquarters before his scheduled interview on the network.
Lula criticized Globo at a campaign event in Ipatinga and said the broadcaster was under suspicion regarding his candidacy.
- Guest
- Flávio Bolsonaro, PL presidential candidate
- Globo executives
- João Roberto Marinho and Paulo Tonet
- Meeting place
- TV Globo headquarters, Rio de Janeiro
- Lula’s interview
- Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Flávio’s meeting and interview
- Friday, October 16, 2026
- Lula campaign event
- Ipatinga, in Minas Gerais’ Vale do Aço region
7 sources
Tarcísio liga para Flávio e diz que ele brilhou na entrevista à Globo
Sabatina de Flávio Bolsonaro na Globo provoca panelaços de apoiadores de Lula
Lula critica visita de Flávio Bolsonaro à TV Globo em dia de sabatina: 'não merece confiança'
Globo confirma encontro de Flávio com cúpula da emissora antes de sabatina no JN
What people are saying
It is very serious for the company to receive a candidate for a visit on the day he will give an interview on the same broadcaster, at a time in an election when democracy is at stake.
Requests for institutional visits are part of the routine of all executives at media companies, and it is usual for candidates for elected office to have courtesy meetings.
We received this visit with surprise today, when he is going to take part in an interview. We consider it untimely, inadequate at the very least.
From today, Globo is under suspicion regarding my candidacy. It does not deserve trust. It does not.