Chico Pinheiro, a Brazilian journalist, made a noteworthy statement after his participation in the Acadêmicos do Tatuapé carnival parade, emphasizing the importance of activism in journalism. He asserted, 'A journalist who is not an activist is not really a journalist,' clarifying that he does not mean partisan activism. Instead, he suggests that journalism should uphold certain principles and work to inform citizens in such a way that increases their awareness of their rights and responsibilities. Pinheiro believes that activism in journalism is essential to encourage informed citizenship and advocacy for social justice.

During his speech, Pinheiro highlighted that the central commitment of journalism should be to knowledge, as he stated, 'Only knowledge can liberate.' His remarks come in the context of the parade celebrating movements like the MST (Landless Workers' Movement), which focuses on land reform and equity issues. The theme of the parade, 'Planting to Harvest and Feed: There Is Much Land Without People and Many People Without Land,' aligns with his views on the need for journalists to engage with and raise awareness about social issues affecting the populace.

Pinheiro's comments are significant as they reflect a larger debate within the journalism community on the role of journalists in societal activism. By challenging traditional boundaries of journalism, he advocates for a more engaged and socially conscious media landscape, encouraging journalists to not only report news but also to be catalysts for change in their communities.