Tim Lopes

Arcanjo Antonino Lopes do Nascimento, known as Tim Lopes, (Pelotas, 18 November 1950 — Rio de Janeiro, June 2 2002) was a Brazilian journalist and a producer for Rede Globo since 1996.

On June 2, 2002, Lopes was murdered in way of necklacing by drug dealers in Rio de Janeiro while producing a story in Vila Cruzeiro, a favela in the Penha suburb of Rio de Janeiro.

Using a hidden camera, Lopes recorded images of a "baile funk" (funk dance party) promoted by drug dealers after allegations arose that there was child prostitution and narcotics dealing occurring at the "baile". He was also attempting to verify information that drug dealers had constructed a playground at one of the favela entrances in order to make it difficult for the police to gain entrance.

It is alleged that drug dealers held a mock trial for Lopes in absentia and approved a death sentence. Lopes' body was dismembered and burned in an attempt to destroy any evidence.

There has been speculation that the murder was revenge for a story produced by TV Globo in 2001 that resulted in many drug dealers being arrested. Another hypothesis is that Lopes was thought to be a police officer or a police informant.

Awards

In 2001, Lopes and his team received the Prêmio Esso for the story “Feirão das Drogas”, in which he used hidden cameras to document the illegal drug trade in Complexo do Alemão.

Lopes twice received the Prêmio Abril de Jornalismo for the stories “Tricolor de Coração” and “Amizade sem Limite”, both published in Placar magazine.

References

[http://observatorio.ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/artigos/al111220024.htm]