Anderson Antunes is a Brazilian journalist based in Europe who writes the South American Way blog for Forbes, focusing on current events in Brazil. He's a thoughtful and perceptive observer of Brazilian trends, culture, and news, and he's written about everything from jewelry heists to supermodel Gisele, from movies to lawsuits. He also writes about famous Brazilians, from Eike Batista to Rafinha Bastos. In addition to the blog, he uses Twitter to share information about Brazil. I asked him a few questions about his career and his thoughts on how Brazil is covered in the international press.
Tell me a little bit about your career. What got you interested in journalism, and how'd you end up at Forbes?
I became a journalist in 2005. I’ve always been interested in news and everything related to it. During my high school years, I spend a lot of time studying the period in which Fernando Collor was the president of Brazil, for an essay that I was writing at the time, and, as a result, I had to do a lot of research. I used to spend entire afternoons at my school’s library going through their archives of magazines like Veja and IstoÉ, reading everything about that particular time of Brazil’s history. I guess it was love at first sight and that was when I knew I had to become a journalist. I’ve written, either as a freelance journalist or as a contributing writer, for several publications in the United States, the UK and Brazil. Right now I also work as a contributor for Glamurama, writing for both their website and some of their magazines, such as Poder. Forbes came to me asking if I was interested in writing about Brazil, from a ‘Brazilian living abroad’ point of view. I just had to say yes.
You write a lot about Brazil in English for an international audience. What do you think it's important for foreign readers to know about Brazil?
Well, there’s a lot of interest in Brazil and all things Brazilian right now. That’s why I was asked by Forbes to write on things related to my native country. I’m not exactly covering politics or economics, as a lot of other people are doing exactly that. My goal is to give a glimpse to worldwide readers of what attracts Brazilians' interest, what’s news around there and why that’s relevant in a global scenario.
You've written about women's issues and gay rights. Why are those important topics in terms of news in Brazil?
I guess Brazil is growing at a very fast pace, not only economically but also socially. Those issues are very present in Brazilians' lives today, but they are still seen as some sort of taboo. I have the chance to analyze all that from far, which gives me a different perspective and, sometimes, it even surprises me. I believe Brazil needs to address those issues if it wants to become a truly important player in a globalized world. Right now, I think we still have a long road ahead of us.
You've also written a bit about Globo, from novelas to Fátima Bernardes. Why does Globo interest you from a cultural perspective?
When you talk about Brazil’s entertainment industry, is there anything else to talk but Globo? It is the biggest and the most influential media group in South America, they have a social relevance that deserves attention.
Which Brazil-related topics do you feel are missing from the international press?
I think it’s time for the worldwide press to stop spoiling us and actually writing about what’s happening around there. Foreigners still have a ‘misguided’ idea of what Brazil really is. Some people think it’s the best country in the world, which is not true. Some thing it’s the worst, which is not true either. The press is concentrating too much on things such as our economics and missing important points about our people, our culture and who we really are and why we are so proud of our country.
You live in Paris. What do you miss most about Brazil?
Actually, I’m in London right now but, yes, I’m based in Paris (probably moving to London next year). At this time of the year, I must say I miss THE WEATHER! And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t really appreciate high temperatures that much. But I love being abroad and experiencing new things every day. Besides, I usually feel at home whenever I see a Brazilian, what happens a lot. Brazilians are everywhere these days!
Comments