Journalist attacked at university event with Andre Ventura

According to the weekly, an Expresso journalist was attacked on Tuesday afternoon at an event with Chega leader Andre Ventura.

The alleged aggression took place at an event called “Parliamentary Conversations”, organized by the Academic Association of the Institute of Political Studies and the Academic Association of Law of the Portuguese Catholic University, in which Chegi President André Ventura took part, as part of a series of lectures to which several party leaders were invited.

On Monday, Chega’s press office told the media that the party leader would speak to the press upon his arrival at Catholica and that, according to university instructions, cameras would not be allowed into the classroom, without however mentioning the presence of journalists. .

Despite this, there was no indication that journalists would be barred from the event, Expresso adds. The journalist was allowed into the hall by two young women standing at the entrance to the building.

The professional watched the first ten minutes of Andre Ventura’s performance. At that moment, a young man approached him and said that he could not be here, Expresso reports.

After several questions, the journalist identified himself again and even turned to Chegi’s advisers for clarification.

“It was at this moment that the journalist was attacked: two young men stopped his movements, grabbed his legs and arms, forcing him to leave the event,” the newspaper clarifies.

After leaving the hall, the journalist continued to be intimidated, and only later one of Andre Ventura’s advisers returned the equipment left in the hall.

The Union of Journalists condemned the attack and called it “a public crime committed in front of many people, which must be investigated and punished in an exemplary manner,” according to a statement in which CM had access.

However, in a letter addressed to the director of Expresso and signed by both associations, those responsible ask for “the most sincere apologies to the journalist and the Expresso newspaper for what happened.”

“We, as the Academic Association of the Institute of Political Studies and the Faculty of Law of the Portuguese Catholic University, are obliged to reject any aggression or excessive use of force during the Parliamentary Conversations event that took place on Tuesday the 16th. January,” the letter says.

Expresso management has already rejected “any form of coercion and obstruction in journalistic work,” saying that “it will take appropriate action to determine responsibility and prevent the recurrence of such actions,” expressing “unconditional support for its journalist.” , who was not allowed to do his job freely.”