Bicho de sete cabeças: Racketeer «Captain» Guimarães (left) with Rio mayor Cesar «The Naked» Maia (second from left), Carnval 2007.

A steady drip of confidential criminal intel maintains the diversified gambling racketeer Carlinhos Cachoeira — «Charlie Waterfall» — at the top of the Brazilian newshour, 24-7.

The vigorous Rashomon effect observed seems to flow in good part from an upstart regional press seeking local angles on a national story — and more power to them, I always say. But awareness of potential axes to be ground is recommended

When R7 (Record) reports on alleged crooked dealings involving this year’s Carnaval celebrations, for example, you do well to remember that its archrival, Globo, enjoys exclusive broadcast rights to the event thanks to its relationship with LIESA, the league of Rio de Janeiro samba societies.

How independent can the Liga Independente be, however, if it lives at LIESA.GLOBO.COM? See my…