We brought back memories of the 48 years of rigid dictatorship in Portugal. A period without free press which was symbolized by the blue pencil used by the state police to censor the news.

The day after the court order was issued, we presented a censored version of Correio da Manhã cover wrapped around the actual newspaper. Through the few words escaping the oppressive blue pencil, one could read a complete sentence: “We will continue to inform you.”

With just one execution, this action took off in social networks, on TV shows, in radio debates and it was even picked up and published by other Portuguese newspapers.

"The Return of the Blue Pencil” created a significant of buzz around the legitimacy of the court order. It created a big debate with everyone, from opinion leaders to general public in social networks and in the streets. And even better than educating awareness of citizens’ rights to a free press, it helped to reverse the court order prohibiting coverage of the former Prime Minister’s abuse of his office.

The impact between 28.10.2015 and 10.11.2015 was:

TV – 107 news| 7.436.802,78€

Radio – 86 news | 132.955,74€

Press – 32 news | 496.979,52€

Online – 224 news | 680.601,27€

Total: 449 news | 8.747.339,31€