José Miguel Judice, commentator for SIC Notícias, had an awkward moment last Tuesday, August 13. The former president of the Bar Association spoke in his commentary space “As Causas”, usually led by Clara de Souza. But this time, journalist Nilma Serpa Pinto, presenter of the program “Edição da Noite”, was in charge of presenting the topics discussed by Júdice.
As happens in other commentary spaces, such as those presented by Luis Marques Mendes in “Jornal da Noite” on SIC, or Paulo Portas in “Jornal Nacional” on TVI, The axis responsible for broadcasting raises topics, and it is not his role to discuss with the commentator, who bears full responsibility for the positions he takes during the space allocated to him.
Addressing the crisis in the National Health Service, Judis begins by citing a news story from Expresso, written by journalist Vera Lucia Arregoso, about the measures of the Health Emergency and Transformation Plan, presented by the government of Luís Montenegro. “He had to talk to the ministry,” the commentator says, referring to the report. “The data is from the National Health Service portal,” Nilma Serpa Pinto replies. Judis responds in an inelegant way: “You’re like your friend Clara de Souza. Don’t be so unionist. Don’t defend journalists so much. I’m not here to defend commentators,” says the former president.
Nilma Serpa Pinto tries to draw attention to evidence that the data presented in the report is taken from the NHS portal, and Judis insists, and is verbally aggressive with the journalist: “Did you understand what I said or don't you want to understand what I said? You didn't go to journalism school? Didn't they tell you that when a story is published about someone, they must be given a chance to comment? Isn't that true?” Nelma Serpa Pinto tries to answer and Judice interrupts her again, saying forcefully: “Is it true or not? Answer my question, if you don't mind”. The narrator falls silent and the commentator continues his criticism of the Expresso news.
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The clip was shared on social media, with many users criticizing José Miguel Guedes' stance and praising the journalist's calm. “It takes a lot of inner strength not to send this man to hell.”; “One of the most hideous things on TV. It's a thing, not an object…”; “Nelma's 'smile' is still trying to maintain sympathy in the face of your tone of voice. There is no woman in the world who doesn't know this feeling,” some netizens wrote on social network X.
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