Room located in the external area of the official residence of the President of the Republic has 10 benches, benches with sockets and air conditioning; the location is used by reporters, cameramen and photographers
The (PT) government completed the work on the journalists’ room at Palácio da Alvorada 1 year after the renovation began. The place was slightly more spacious, with sockets, benches, a water fountain, air conditioning and thermos coffee bottles.
Journalists who follow the president’s routine were, during the period of changes at the location, in the Alvorada’s external area, without access to the covered area, sockets and tables. Some chose to share the space of the room with materials from the work.
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The room is located close to the entrance guard to Palácio da Alvorada. Before arriving at the location, the press professional needs to identify himself with the credential authorized by Planalto approximately 500 meters away, close to the entrance to the Jaburu Palace – the official residence of the vice-president.
The benches, cabinet, tables and drinking fountain are assets of the Executive Branch. There are notices in the room so that all furniture is kept inside, with furniture being prohibited from moving outside.
The room has 4 wide tables that seat 10 professionals. There are 10 backless seats. Journalists have access to 20 sockets on the top of the bench, one of which is being used for the water fountain. The wiring is not visible, with seals to gather the wires into the table. The air conditioning control was not in place during the writing of this report.
Wiring of tables in the journalists’ room at Palácio do Alvorada
The space also has a cabinet with a marble countertop at the top, where thermos coffee bottles are kept. The windows are small and have white stickers that prevent the outside area from being seen. On one side of the room, the stickers do not cover the entire view, and you can see part of the Palácio da Alvorada garden.
There is an orientation on the sliding door so that the room is closed for the air conditioning to cool. The room has 4 lamps for night work. The bathrooms have not been renovated.
The previous press room was smaller, with older furniture such as a brown sofa and a closet. There was a round table in the center with some chairs. A short bench ran the length of the wall, but space was limited for laptop use. Some of the sockets didn’t work.
PRESS COVERAGE
Newspapers have reduced the presence of press professionals in Alvorada since the covid-19 pandemic, when some media outlets decided. Supporters of the former president (PL) journalists who were at the door of the official residence on May 25, 2020.
The journalists’ room has been less frequented, being used mainly by journalists from television stations who take advantage of the setting to video their reports.
President Lula does not usually grant interviews to journalists at Alvorada. Bolsonaro made more statements at the official residence during his term. After the first round of the 2022 presidential elections, for example, he interviews journalists who were waiting for the results of the election in the room.
