Folha de S.Paulo Faces Backlash Over Funeral Cartoon Coinciding with Judge's Death
Folha de S.Paulo’s ombudsman, Alexandra Moraes, addressed significant public criticism regarding a political cartoon by Marilia Marz published on May 9, 2026. The cartoon criticized judicial perks, known as 'penduricalhos,' using a funeral metaphor with a tombstone referencing 'hangers.' Controversy erupted because the publication coincided with the tragic death of Judge Mariana Ferreira, who died during a routine egg collection procedure in São Paulo. Many readers and legal professionals interpreted the imagery as a macabre or misogynistic reference to the judge’s death, accusing the newspaper of insensitivity and dehumanization. Prosecutor Liliana Mercadante Mortari and judge Vanessa Vaitekunas Zapater were among those condemning the piece as cruel. In response, cartoonist Marilia Marz clarified that the work was not inspired by any specific death and expressed regret over the unintended association. The ombudsman’s column highlights the tension between legitimate journalistic criticism of public spending and the ethical implications of symbolic choices in editorial content, emphasizing the need for sensitivity when real-world tragedies occur simultaneously with satirical publications.
Wire timeline
Folha de S.Paulo Faces Backlash Over Funeral Cartoon Coinciding with Judge's Death
Folha de S.Paulo’s ombudsman, Alexandra Moraes, addressed significant public criticism regarding a political cartoon by Marilia Marz published on May 9, 2026. The cartoon criticized judicial perks, known as 'penduricalhos,' using a funeral metaphor with a tombstone referencing 'hangers.' Controversy erupted because the publication coincided with the tragic death of Judge Mariana Ferreira, who died during a routine egg collection procedure in São Paulo. Many readers and legal professionals interpreted the imagery as a macabre or misogynistic reference to the judge’s death, accusing the newspaper of insensitivity and dehumanization. Prosecutor Liliana Mercadante Mortari and judge Vanessa Vaitekunas Zapater were among those condemning the piece as cruel. In response, cartoonist Marilia Marz clarified that the work was not inspired by any specific death and expressed regret over the unintended association. The ombudsman’s column highlights the tension between legitimate journalistic criticism of public spending and the ethical implications of symbolic choices in editorial content, emphasizing the need for sensitivity when real-world tragedies occur simultaneously with satirical publications.
Folha de S.Paulo - Em cima da hora - Principal