Hot Topic – Personality rights
In deciding Special Appeal No. 1652588/SP, the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice reaffirms that freedom of the press is limited by the public interest and the personality rights, in particular rights of image and honor.
In this case, the Court held that the TV news under discussion contained offensive comments, which were not necessary to comply with the duty to inform, as well as untruthful information. Due to the clear violation of appellees’ rights of honor and image, the appeal was dismissed, and the TV channel and the hosts of the show were ordered to pay an indemnification of R$ 50,000 (approximately USD 15,000) per victim.