Brazil president stresses dialog with youth

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vowed to create channels to dialogue with Brazil’s youth in the wake of massive anti-government protests across Latin America’s largest country.

The pledge was made during a Friday meeting between Rousseff and the representatives of 25 students associations and social movements in the capital city of Brasilia, the president’s office said.

Rousseff’s office also said a long-planned government website focusing on youth issues would be launched immediately.

Brazil has been hit by nationwide protests since June 17, when street rallies began initially over a rise in bus fares.

However, the anger has now snowballed into nationwide demonstrations, with people demanding the government to address the issues of high taxes, inflation, corruption, and poor public services.

The protesters are also objecting to spending more than USD 26 billion of public money on the two major sporting events, the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, slated to be held in Latin America’s largest country.

So far, dozens of people have been hurt and hundreds more arrested in the violent clashes that have rocked Brazil

The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI) said that over 50 journalists have been injured, harassed or arrested during the demonstrations.

The reporters’ group said that 34 journalists were the victims of “aggression, hostility or threats by police officers,” the Associated Press reported on Saturday.

It also said that six reporters were arrested during the rallies, while 12 others were hurt by protesters.