Brazil’s Free TV and Radio Campaign Begins as Candidates Air First Programs and Legal Rulings Reshape Access

Overview

• The nationwide free broadcast window opened on Friday, Aug. 28, with parties and coalitions airing first programs across multiple states that mixed candidate biographies with region‑specific issues.
• Campaigns used initial slots to frame local agendas: Maria do Carmo pushed closing open dumps in Amazonas, Rio Grande do Sul candidates stressed flood resilience and infrastructure, and others emphasized security and education policies.
• A TRE‑RJ liminar temporarily barred Anthony Garotinho from the Rio block and suspended certain fund transfers to his campaign, changing the order and participants in the state’s broadcast lineup.
• Political offensives began immediately: Michelle Bolsonaro used her radio debut to announce a Senate bid for the Federal District while avoiding mention of Flávio Bolsonaro, whose opponents plan a televised “unauthorized biography” highlighting past controversies and who repeated his father’s hand‑note gesture during a Globo sabatina.
• Campaign strategists expect the TV/radio window to set broad public frames despite social media’s role, because coalition rules limit which tickets get airtime and judicial decisions can quickly alter both exposure and funding.