Brazil mourns its publishing giant, Octavio Frias

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declared three days of official mourning for the the death of Octavio Frias de Oliveira, one of Brazil’s publishing giants. Frias, 94, died Sunday.

Lula and others credited Frias with creating an opening during the military dictatorship for critical news to appear in his flagship newspaper, Folha de São Paulo. Frias purchased the newspaper in 1962 and presided over its expansion and the growth of his other media holdings.

Lula emerged on the public scene as a union leader opposed to the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964-1985.

``I had a great respect and warmth for him,’’ Lula, who attended Frias’ funeral, said in a statement. ``I knew him in the difficult years when we fought to overcome authoritarianism.’’

Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell and Marcelo Soares in São Paulo