SBT ends partnership with Rodrigo Bocardi's BocaTV amid allegations

SBT has ended its commercial partnership with BocaTV, a multimedia company owned by journalist Rodrigo Bocardi. While Bocardi will continue to host the news program ‘SBT Cidades’ alongside Erica Reis, the broadcaster has prohibited him from mentioning or promoting BocaTV content during the broadcast and has removed the company's logo from the set.

This decision follows public allegations made by Jones Donizette, the former Secretary of Technology and Communication for Embu das Artes. In a video circulated on social media, Donizette accused Bocardi of attempting to extort municipal governments by pressuring them for advertising contracts in exchange for favorable news coverage.

Bocardi has denied the allegations, describing them as ‘bandidagem’ (thuggery) and maintaining that his company’s partnerships with municipalities are legal. SBT has confirmed that its compliance department is reviewing the matter following the video's circulation.