CM and CMTV are celebrating their anniversary today with Open Letter Day.

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is already on the editorial board of CM and CMTV.

Octavio Ribeiro, former editorial general manager of Cofina, and Luis Santana, administrator of Cofina for 40 years, recalled the path of Correio da Manhã until he reached the leadership and committed himself to create a TV channel. Considered the “father of CMTV,” Octavio Ribeiro explained how the transition from paper to television was made, how a newsroom dedicated to writing appeared on the small screen.

Luis Santana recalled how he came up with the idea of ​​creating a TV: “When I came to Octavio, I immediately bought into this idea.”

Both explained the newspaper’s sales success and how it transferred the newspaper’s DNA to television.

“This group is destined to lead, it is its design, because the Portuguese trust the work that is being done here,” said Octavio Ribeiro, applauding the work that the new generations who today make up the editorial board of CM and KTV continue to do.

“The determination and desire to make news remains unchanged,” said Luis Santana, who has been with the Cofina group for four decades.

Octavio Ribeiro, former editor-in-chief of Cofina, returned to the editorial offices of Correio da Manhã and CMTV to remember the birth of CMTV.

The former director was surprised by the current CEO of Cofina, Carlos Rodriguez, who offered him the front page of CM on March 17, 2013, CMTV’s birthday.

“Octavio Ribeiro is largely responsible for the fact that we are here,” said Carlos Rodriguez.

Initiative ‘CM44 – People who do more for the country’ was presented by Correio da Manhã 44th Anniversary Curator and Editorial Deputy CEO Eduardo Damaso, Isabel Rodríguez, Cofina CEO Marketing and Digital Development, and ISCTE Researchers Carolina Cardoso and Moises Rosa.

The exhibition “People Doing More for the Country” aims to showcase the work of civil society and institutions across the country that dedicate their time to building a more just and sustainable society.

Isabelle Rodriguez explained how the idea came about and how this initiative began to promote projects “created by people who devote their time to doing good to others.”

ISCTE researchers Carolina Cardoso and Moises Rosa were asked to join the initiative to map and identify where these projects are located, from north to south of the country.

“Each week we will present in the newspaper, on the website and on television one case out of 44 that we will report on over the next year, creating this network of collaboration between projects,” explained Isabel Rodriguez.

By making these projects accessible, the goal is to create networks that will allow them to have an even greater impact on society.

Isabelle Rodriguez emphasized that this is a “work in progress” and that organizations that wish to apply can do so through the initiative’s website.

The Open Letter panels return at 3:00 pm with a presentation of the initiative. CM44.

Reporters Alfredo Leite and Pedro Mourinho shared with readers their experience of reporting on military scenarios. Two journalists recently returned from Ukraine where they covered the conflict for Correio da Manhã and CMTV.

“The first casualty of the war is the truth,” began Pedro Mourinho.

Journalists explained the difficulties that were felt on the ground, and Alfredo Leite noted, for example, that he managed to get to Bucha, one of the cities most affected by Russian troops, only “when Ukraine wanted it.”

“The Ukrainian military did not want us to show the equipment they used. We have rules that we were told about, and we must comply with them, ”he stressed.

When asked about the use and dissemination of information on social media, Alfredo Leite, who has covered several conflicts, including the Gulf War, stressed that social media has brought about major changes in the way conflict is reported.

“The difference of that time lies precisely in the use of networks in the military scenario, in how propaganda uses social networks,” the correspondent said.

Readers asked the two reporters questions about the preparations for the military scenario and about the protective equipment used in the field.

“The vest will not save us, but it can help,” said Alfredo Leite. Pedro Mourinho showed readers a protective vest and helmet delivered to Ukraine and explained how they are used, as well as the importance of choosing the colors of clothing in a military scenario, which should never be confused with the colors used by soldiers.

Regarding the use of the word ‘press’ on vests and its importance to the safety of war reporters, Alfredo Leite was adamant: ‘It is not the word ‘press’ that protects us.

Journalist Daniela Poland moderated the Story with Stories panel with Agostinho Azevedo, founder of Correio da Manhã, João Vas, former newspaper director, Magali Pinto, journalist and editor-in-chief of Correio da Manhã, and José Pacheco, former editor. from the Sports section.

“Journalism, freedom and democracy are three words that are best combined with each other in one sentence,” Agostinho Azevedo began by highlighting, recalling the founding of Correio da Manhã.

“In 1979, when we founded the newspaper, we were still going through the remnants of the revolutionary process, and the media was still trapped in ideological prejudice,” said Agostinho Azevedo, revealing the history and stories that marked the early days of the CM. .

Memories of the newspaper’s early days and what it was like to do journalism in the 1980s contrasted with the experience shared by Magali Pinto, who came to KM 15 years ago and spoke about how work is currently being done . between the release of a newspaper on paper, on the Internet and on television.

The current urgency and media scrutiny has also been the subject of discussion.

Among the many memories of moments lived in Correio da Manhã, Agostinho Azevedo, who worked for 22 years at CM, recalled the case of Isaltino Morais during an accident on a construction site. When the mayor arrived, he was amazed that Correio da Magnan was already there. Another memory, demonstrating the speed that is part of the newspaper’s DNA and the trust placed by readers, was a call to the newspaper to report a fire before contact was even made with the fire department.

This initiative of the readers was also mentioned by Magali Pinto, who recalled a robbery in a jewelry store, when the owner called KM and said that his establishment had been robbed. CM arrived at the scene, and only after that the owner called the police.

Journalists also answered readers’ questions.

Pedro Adão e Silva, Minister of Culture, who collaborated with various media, recalled that he visited the newsroom when he was finishing high school and stressed the importance of this initiative by Correio da Manhã and CMTV.

“I find this idea of ​​showing what the daily life of a newsroom is very interesting,” the minister said, noting that there is “some ignorance of the daily life and rhythms of the newsroom.”

Armando Estevez Pereira, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, asked the minister about the possibility of specific support for the media, namely in the area of ​​dissemination, but Adao e Silva said he was not sure that such specific support would bring “increased efficiency and effectiveness”, stressing that in this area there are problems “along the chain”.

The Minister also highlighted the challenges the pandemic has brought to the media industry and stressed that “the viability of the media business means innovation.” The Minister also mentioned “material restrictions”, emphasizing that these conditions must be guaranteed in order to “guarantee freedom and autonomy”.

Adão e Silva has not promised any specific media support from the government, despite being repeatedly questioned about it. But he put forward that the ministry would “launch a national media literacy plan to engage young people in media consumption.”

Paulo João Santos, Executive Director of the Correio da Manhã, and Rogerio Chambel, Deputy Public Relations Editor, have been with the newspaper for 31 years and explained to a group of students how a newspaper is created and the challenges they face in doing so. three decades.

Rogerio Chambel emphasized that in Correio da Manhã “we give people the right to vote” and that it is “a newspaper for loved ones that people trust”.

Paulo Souza and João Aleixo from the Commerce and Marketing Department explained to the press the importance of these areas, while Florbela Garcia and João Almeida from the Production and Distribution Department detailed to the students and readers who were present in the News Department how to close the paper, travel to the printing house and the way unforeseen events force a change of plan.

“There are events that we can predict and for which we have several hours to prepare for them. There are others, such as floods, which are impossible,” said Florbela Garcia.

Joao Almeida recalled the times of the pandemic and stressed that during this period the newspaper won 24 million. “We have significant market value,” he said.

Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of Cofina, welcomed a group of invited students at the start of the Open Letter.

“This is a sacred place [a redação] where all brands of the Cofina group are produced. For us journalists, this is not only an unprecedented experience, but also somewhat disturbing. Because the editorial office has always been and remains a sacred space,” explained the general director of the editorial office.

Carlos Rodríguez emphasized that the decision to create an open newsroom involves showing the public and readers of Correio da Manhã and CMTV how the newsroom works.

A group of students visit the office of Correio da Manhã and CMTV.

The newsroom of Correio da Manhã and CMTV is open this Monday. Watch the event live, which starts at 10:00 and ends at 18:00, and will be attended by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Minister of Culture, Pedro Adao, and Silva, the Mayor of Lisbon. , Carlos Moedas and Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon and President of the World Youth Day Foundation D. Américo Aguiar.

At the end there is a musical moment, signed by Antonio Zambujo.