Union Deems Journalist’s Treatment in Parliament Unacceptable

The Syndicate of Journalists (SJ) has condemned the treatment of a journalist in Parliament as “intolerable and unacceptable.” The incident involved Tomás Guerreiro, a reporter from Sábado, who was approached by security personnel at the Assembly of the Republic on September 20. This event occurred after he questioned members of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) regarding their voting position in the second round of presidential elections.

Union Criticizes Security Personnel’s Actions

The SJ released a statement stating that the journalist was urged to identify himself and was obstructed from carrying out his duties. The union characterized this interaction as an “attack on press freedom.” They firmly reject the justification provided by the Secretariat of the Assembly, which cited the need to ensure the “safety of people and property” as a basis for the security actions.

Concerns Over Press Freedom

• The SJ decried the actions of the security forces as offensive.
• According to the SJ, the intimidation of journalists violates their rights.
• The union emphasizes that these rights are secured by laws established within the Assembly itself.

The SJ expressed concern over the perception among elected officials that journalists pose a threat simply by doing their jobs with a pen and notepad. This mindset, they argue, indicates a significant problem within the political landscape that requires serious consideration.

Role of Security Forces in Parliament

In their statement, the SJ articulated that the purpose of security services in the Assembly is to protect everyone appropriately identified and authorized. They should not serve the interests of a few elected officials aiming to evade scrutiny by utilizing publicly funded police resources.