Killer Ratings

August 12. 2009

Most television shows want killer ratings. Some television shows want that literally...by killing the competition. A former policeman in Brazil, turned TV show host, Wallace Souza, is being accused of ordering the murder of a rival set.

He runs a law enforcement styled show and allegedly ordered the murders of five rival drug traffickers, sending his film crews to the crime scenes first, to boost ratings. His son has also been indicted on the same charges.

Brazil TV host 'ordered killings'

Details of the accusations against Wallace Souza

Police have accused a TV presenter in Brazil of being involved in organised drug trafficking and ordering killings to get rid of rivals and boost ratings.

Wallace Souza, who is also a state legislator, says the claims are an attempt by rivals to smear him and that there is no evidence to back them.

But the police say he ordered killings in the state of Amazonas and alerted TV crews to get them to the scene first.  The TV show was halted late last year as police stepped up their inquiry.

If what the police say is true, then this is the TV show that not only reported crime, but was actually behind it as well...

The authorities believe that Mr Souza commissioned at least five murders in order to get rid of drug trafficking rivals and to boost his programme ratings...

Wallace Souza faces a variety of charges, including drug trafficking and weapons possession, but remains free because for the moment his political role gives him immunity...

Lawyers for Wallace Souza, a former policeman who was expelled from the force, say the accusations are an attempt to smear him and that there is not one piece of material proof to back the police claims.

http://news.bbc.co.uk