Brasília, April 7, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - At a reception today to commemorate Journalists' Day with representatives of the National Federation of Journalists (Fenaj) and reporters who cover the Planalto Palace, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that he intends to work more closely with the media and professional newpeople, in order to form a "type of loyal relationship." "When I say 'loyal,' this means a relationship in which the government should at no time ask journalists to sing its praises, nor should journalists ever speak ill just because they want to. If we all seek the truth, and only the truth interests us, the country will be more serene for everybody, and we shall be contributing to the establishment of a really true democracy in our country," Lula declared.

The President called for the press to be guided by the truth of the facts, rather than the interests of journalists or owners of the news media.

The Minister of the Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency, Luiz Gushiken, availed himself of the opportunity to argue that the press should also transmit news on positive things that have been done in the country. In his view, the press is a window on the world and should also reflect the positive things that exist.

At the meeting, the president of the Fenaj, Beth Costa, handed President Lula a document requesting the creation of the Federal Council and state councils of Journalism, which would be responsible for regulating the profession and supervising the way it is practiced and taught. Lula was receptive to the creation of the councils.

Translator: David Silberstein