Brazilian journalists and media experts, who gathered in July at the three main cities of Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo and Vitoria, discussed the theme “Education and Democracy for Justice and Development” in a context where Brazil has decided not to call for specialised qualifications in carrying out the profession of journalist. Following an 8–1 court ruling on 22 June 2009, journalists in Brazil need no longer hold an academic degree to be a journalist. On the one hand, this helps towards greater freedom of expression and on the other, any one without knowledge and formation can write or diffuse anything as it happens, especially in many countries.

The sessions were resourced by experts and professionals from leading media houses such as O Globo, Estado do Sao Paulo, federal and Catholic universities at Sao Paulo, Vitoria and Porto Alegre, members of the Christian Union of Brazilian Communicators and various institutions related to the media, social justice and integral development of human persons.

The Brazilian journalists and experts observed that the initiatives in the field of EduCommunication (EduCom) through print, radio, TV, Internet, CDs, videos and others are extremely important in the new era of “legal” libertarianism. They affirmed that formation and ongoing education in journalism are extremely important for true democracy, social justice and lasting development.

The sessions also explored the role of not only the mainstream media but also of the university departments of journalism and communication in ensuring the formation of future journalists. The journalists emphasised that journalism is very often the only real solution for justice and development of people. Those who are supposed to guarantee these basic rights are often entangled with business, corporate and other vested interests.

The Internet has given a new face to journalism making information instantly available. But it has also made it very difficult to distinguish information from advertising in the almost infinite jungle of the web. Therefore, it has become all the more necessary to have well-informed and trained journalists who can bring comprehensive essentials and analyses to the public who can then be well-guided in their decisions and judgements. Catholic journalists have an essential role here as they take greater care to uphold values and ethics.