Journalist fired for criticizing the National Geographic

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Published: 05/11/2010 19:40

Journalist fired for criticizing the National Geographic View on Twitter
By Eduardo Neco / Writing Portal PRESS

The journalist Philip Milanez, editor of National Geographic Brazil, licensed by the publisher in April, was fired on Tuesday (11) via Twitter for criticizing the largest publishing house, magazine Veja.

Milanez at the National since October 2008, he published in his profile on microblogging, comments regarding the article "The farce of Indian nation," conveyed in the latest edition of the magazine. "Look more spew racist rans x Indians, now in Bolivia. How can you be so fucked after this century of the Holocaust" (sic), "he wrote in a post last Sunday (9).

In a message on the same day, saying it ignored Milanez complemented to see, but "racism" of the publication is made manifest. "I used to ignore the idiot See. But the recent racism has made me feel bad. It's like seeing a film of the Nazi War cheering pros (sic)."

In an interview with Portal PRESS, Milanez admitted he has made blunt comments about the publication, but was surprised by the dismissal. "I was pretty hard, I made some harsh comments, but as a person, not as a journalist. I was personally offended [by the report]. But I am so upset for having left. A few sentences on Twitter ended up with a bunch of projects," said the ex- editor.

The decision to dismiss the reporter, he said, would come from sectors directly linked to the Editora Abril Veja magazine and passed on to those responsible for National Geographic. "I do not know who decided and how," he said.

The editor in chief of National, Matthew Shirts, confirmed the report that Milanez was fired for the comments on Twitter. "He was fired for comment to Twitter with harsh criticism to the magazine. Editora Abril paid his salary and made the decision," he said.

Asked whether he agreed with the dismissal of a journalist, Shirts said "did what had to exercising the function."

* Collaborated Ana Ignacio / The Editorial

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