Deputy from Amazonas proposes banning artists from expressing political views during shows

By Marcela Leiros – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Amazonas deputy Débora Menezes (PL) introduced Bill (PL) No. 811/2025, which proposes banning, for up to five years, the hiring of artists with public funds if they engage in political-party expressions during events financed by the State. The proposal was filed on September 16.

According to the text, any artistic performance—whether cultural, sports-related, or similar—that uses state public funds cannot serve as a platform for statements about parties, candidates, or political figures. If the rule is broken, the artist will have the contract terminated, must fully return the amounts received, and will be barred for five years from signing new contracts with the state government.

The bill defines political-party expression as “any act, speech, gesture, display of symbols, slogans, messages, or verbal expressions that promote, favor, criticize, or harm political parties, coalitions, candidates, or public political figures, as well as expressions that incite the public to adopt specific political positions during performances funded, in whole or in part, by the State of Amazonas.”

In the justification, Débora Menezes states that the goal is to protect the constitutional principles of impartiality and morality in public administration, preventing publicly funded events from turning into political platforms.

“This is not about restricting the freedom of expression of artists, which remains intact in their other spheres of activity. What is being sought is to limit the use of public funds for purposes that are not of collective interest,” argues the deputy.

She also contends that political-party expressions at cultural events can generate exclusion of part of the audience, distort the purpose of the events, and compromise the image of neutrality of the State itself.

The bill still needs to go through thematic committees and the plenary of the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas. If approved, it will be regulated by the Executive Branch and will take effect from the date of its official publication.

Censorship?

The bill raises questions about censorship and restrictions on freedom of expression. The Federal Constitution, in Article 5, guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right and prohibits any form of censorship.

A Supreme Federal Court ruling from 2021 explicitly stated that “there is no prohibition on an artist expressing their political views in their shows or performances.”

The understanding diverged from the ruling of Superior Electoral Court (TSE) Justice Raul Araújo, who prohibited expressions of support for pre-candidates at Lollapalooza, claiming it constituted early electoral propaganda at the time.

See the full bill:

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves