# Law No. 7084 of December 21, 1982

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650248](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650248)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7084-of-december-21-1982

## Summary
Law No. 7084 of December 21, 1982 is a Brazilian statute that grants the professional journalist's identification card the legal status of an official identity document. Enacted during the presidency of João Figueiredo, this law formalizes the recognition of journalist credentials as valid identification within Brazil's legal framework.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 7084, de 21 de dezembro de 1982 (Law No. 7084 of December 21, 1982)
- **Type:** Brazilian statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Primary Function:** Attributes the value of an identity document to the professional journalist's card
- **Approval Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving President:** João Figueiredo
- **Date of Promulgation:** December 21, 1982
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7084/1982
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to the entire territory of Brazil
- **Main Subject:** State territory (Territorio Nacional)
- **Publication Date:** December 21, 1982
- **Official Text Location:** Published in the Official Gazette and available at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7084.htm
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-21;7084
- **Classification:** Instance of "statute" (subclass of written work, document, and rule)
- **WikiProject:** Included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws
- **Copyright Status:** As an official Brazilian legal document, it is in the public domain

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 7084 of 1982 actually do?**
This law grants the professional journalist's identification card (carteira de jornalista profissional) the same legal validity as other official identity documents within Brazil. It means journalists can use their professional credentials as proof of identity in legal and administrative situations.

**Who approved this law and when?**
The law was promulgated by President João Figueiredo on December 21, 1982, during Brazil's military government period. It was officially published in Brasília, the national capital.

**Where can I find the official text of this law?**
The complete text is available through multiple official sources, including the Brazilian government's legislation portal (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7084.htm) and the LexML Brazil legal information system (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-21;7084).

**Does this law apply to all journalists in Brazil?**
The law specifically applies to "professional journalists" within Brazil's national territory. The exact definition of who qualifies as a professional journalist would be determined by Brazil's press regulation system and professional journalism associations.

**Is this law still in effect today?**
As a federal law that has not been explicitly repealed or modified in the provided sources, Lei nº 7084/1982 remains part of Brazil's legal framework. However, its current practical application would depend on subsequent legislation and judicial interpretations regarding press credentials and identification documents.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 7084 of 1982 represents an important recognition of journalistic professionalism within Brazil's legal system. By elevating the journalist's identification card to the status of an official identity document, the law provides practical benefits for working journalists while symbolically acknowledging the importance of a free press in Brazilian society.

This legislation matters because it facilitates journalists' work by giving their professional credentials legal weight in various bureaucratic and security contexts. In a country with Brazil's size and complexity, having recognized identification can be crucial for journalists accessing official events, government buildings, or sensitive locations while performing their duties.

The law also reflects Brazil's approach to press regulation during the late 20th century, showing how professional journalism was formally integrated into the nation's legal infrastructure. As part of Brazil's broader media legislation framework, it contributes to the professionalization of journalism and helps establish clear standards for who can claim journalistic privileges.

## Notable For

- **Professional Recognition:** One of the specific Brazilian laws that formally recognizes journalistic credentials as having legal identity value
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985) under President João Figueiredo
- **Legal Innovation:** Creates a unique category where professional credentials serve as official identification
- **National Scope:** Applies uniformly across Brazil's entire territory
- **Public Domain Status:** As an official government edict, the law text is freely available and not subject to copyright
- **Digital Preservation:** Available through multiple official digital repositories including the Brazilian government's legislation portal and LexML system
- **WikiProject Inclusion:** Recognized as part of the organized effort to document Brazilian laws on Wikipedia

## Body

### Legislative Background and Enactment

Law No. 7084 was promulgated on December 21, 1982, during the final years of Brazil's military dictatorship (1964-1985). The law was approved by President João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo, who served as Brazil's 30th president from 1979 to 1985. Figueiredo's presidency marked the beginning of Brazil's redemocratization process, though the country remained under military rule until 1985.

The law represents a specific intervention in Brazil's media regulation framework, addressing the practical needs of professional journalists. By granting identity document status to journalist credentials, the legislation aimed to streamline journalists' ability to perform their duties while maintaining professional standards.

### Legal Content and Scope

The core provision of Law No. 7084 attributes the value of an official identity document (documento de identidade) to the professional journalist's card (carteira de jornalista profissional). This means that within Brazil's legal system, a journalist's professional credentials can serve as valid identification in situations where official ID is required.

The law applies specifically to Brazil's national territory (Territorio Nacional) and operates within the federal legal framework. As with all Brazilian federal laws, it takes precedence over state and municipal regulations in cases of conflict.

### Publication and Documentation

The law was officially published in Brasília and entered into the federal legal corpus. It is cataloged in Brazil's legal information systems with the LexML identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-21;7084. The complete text is available through multiple official channels:

- Brazilian Presidency's legislation portal: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7084.htm
- LexML Brazil legal information system
- Official Gazette publications from December 1982

### Classification and Legal Status

Law No. 7084 is classified as a statute (lei) within Brazil's legal system. As a formal written document creating law, it represents an instance of the broader legal concept of "statute," which includes acts, executive orders, and by-laws. The law is considered part of Brazil's statutory law framework.

As an official government edict, the law text is in the public domain according to Brazilian copyright law. This ensures that the legal provisions are freely accessible to all citizens and legal professionals.

### Relationship to Journalism Regulation

This law intersects with Brazil's broader system of press regulation and professional journalism standards. The professional journalist's card mentioned in the law would typically be issued by recognized journalism associations or regulatory bodies, though the specific issuing authority isn't detailed in the provided sources.

The law assumes the existence of a professional certification system for journalists, where only qualified individuals receive the credentials that can then serve as official identification. This creates a link between professional standards and legal recognition.

### Historical and Political Context

Enacted during the military government period, Law No. 7084 exists within a complex media environment where press freedom was often restricted. The military regime (1964-1985) implemented various forms of censorship and media control, making the formal recognition of journalistic credentials particularly significant.

The law's passage in 1982 occurred during the final phase of military rule, as Brazil began its transition toward democracy. President Figueiredo's government initiated some liberalization measures, though full democratic freedoms wouldn't be restored until the 1988 Constitution.

### Comparison with Other Identification Laws

Law No. 7084 is unusual in that it grants professional credentials the status of official identification. Most identity document laws focus on government-issued IDs like the RG (Registro Geral) or CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas). By extending this recognition to professional journalist cards, the law creates a special category of functional identification tied to professional status.

### Current Status and Relevance

While the law remains on the books, its current practical application depends on several factors:
- The continued existence of a professional journalism certification system
- The acceptance of journalist cards as ID by various institutions
- Any subsequent legislation that might modify press credential requirements

The law continues to be referenced in discussions about press freedom and journalist rights in Brazil. It serves as a historical marker of how professional journalism was formally integrated into Brazil's legal infrastructure.

### Digital Preservation and Access

The law benefits from Brazil's robust digital legal documentation systems. It is preserved in multiple official databases, ensuring long-term accessibility. The LexML system provides a permanent identifier (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-21;7084) that allows for consistent citation across legal and academic contexts.

### Academic and Research Significance

Law No. 7084 is included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition as an important piece of legislation worthy of documentation. Researchers studying Brazilian media law, press freedom, or the history of journalism regulation would consider this law as part of the broader legal framework governing journalism during the military period and beyond.

The law provides insight into how professional identities were legally constructed in Brazil and how specific professions received formal recognition through legislative action. It also offers a case study in how occupational credentials can intersect with broader identity documentation systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-12-21;7084)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7084&ano=1982&data=21/12/1982&ato=06aQTUU9ENrRVT1dc)
3. LexML Brasil