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HomeWritersMichel Silva

Writer: Michel Silva

Electricity is not a Social Right Cover Art
by Community Contributors

In Brazil, Electricity Is Not a Social Right

By Michel Silva • Translation by Clau Guimarães • June 18, 2021

Clique aqui para Português This article is part of a series on energy justice and efficiency in Rio’s favelas. Months ago, residents of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela, Rocinha, created a WhatsApp group to denounce power […]

#CoronavirusWatch

Why Coronavirus Could Affect the Favelas and How to Prepare

By Michel Silva • Translation by Cormac Whitney Low • March 19, 2020

Clique aqui para Português For the original article in Portuguese by Michel Silva published in Favela em Pauta click here. This is the first article in what will be a spotlighted issue on RioOnWatch for the foreseeable […]

#MediaWatch

In Three Months, Rio de Janeiro Print Media Published 80 Negative Cover Stories About Favelas

By Michel Silva • Translation by Ben Bildsten • November 6, 2019

Clique aqui para Português For the original article in Portuguese by Michel Silva published in Favela em Pauta click here. No one buys print newspapers anymore because they only print bad news. This assertion makes […]

#CommunityMedia

Some on the Right, Some on the Left: Favela Residents Get the Short End of the Stick [OPINION]

By Michel Silva • Translation by Sharon Gogar • October 18, 2018

Clique aqui para Português For the original article in Portuguese by Michel Silva published by Favela em Pauta, click here. It hasn’t been easy to understand the polarization of Brazilian political debate in recent years. Recently, […]

#CommunityMedia

‘Favela Media Platforms Need to Unite’

By Michel Silva • Translation by Clara Lyra • April 20, 2018

Clique aqui para Português For the original article in Portuguese by Michel Silva published by Favela em Pauta click here. The reason I got involved with journalism is noteworthy: I never felt represented by the way […]

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RioOnWatch’s anti-racist reporting series won silver in the 2022 inaugural The Anthem Awards, in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category among Best Local Awareness Programs.
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About

In May 2010, Catalytic Communities launched what was originally Rio Olympics Neighborhood Watch (hence RioOnWatch), a program to bring visibility to favela community voices in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. This news site, RioOnWatch.org, grew into a much-needed and unique reference featuring favela perspectives on the urban transformation of Rio. With diverse and deeply interlinked articles by a mix of community reporters, resident opinions, solidarity reporters, international observers, and academic researchers, we work to engender a more accurate picture of favelas, their contributions to the city, and the potential of favela-led community development in Rio and around the world.

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Special Thanks

Fundação Heinrich Böll Brasil
World Habitat
Fideicomiso de la Tierra Caño Martín Peña
Pastoral de Favelas
Center for CLT Innovation
Global Land Alliance
Ecocity Builders
Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation
SDSU Behner Stiefel Center
The Rio Times
Forum Grita Baixada
Beto Paixão Graphic Design
Architecture Museum of Vienna
Yale School of Architecture

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  • Violations
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    • Government Neglect
  • Organizing
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  • Content Map
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    • Video Stories
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