Cristina Ferreira.
TVI presenter says she limited herself to asking a question. He uses “more simplistic” language in his program, as it is seen by “uninformed” people. He did not speak about the controversy earlier because “he had to expel a competitor from the House of Secrets”.
The presenter Cristina Ferreira went to TVI this Tuesday in an attempt to explain what he did on the program “Dois à 10” about the rape of a minor by four influencers.
The channel’s Director of Entertainment and Fiction refused to apologizeafter having said the following words about the case that shocked the country and whose perpetrators are suspected of more than 50 crimes of kidnapping, rape and pornography of minors:
“Even if she said to stop, when there are four of you who are in that adrenaline rush of having sex with a girl, does anyone listen? Of course they have to listen, but does anyone understand that ‘I don’t want any more’?”
The presenter began by seeking to clarify, in front of journalist José Alberto Carvalho, that this “it wasn’t a comment”, but rather “a question addressed to a commentator on the panel.” And he sought to reassure the public about his well-being: “I’m fine.”
“For some reason, those people understood it that way. I know I didn’t do it with that intention. It’s not what I think”, highlighted the businesswoman, currently Executive Administrator of Media Capital Digital.
Cristina Ferreira insisted that she intended to understand what leads attackers to ignore a “no” during a rape and explained that sometimes she explains topics “in a more simplistic way” because her program, in her view, reaches “even the most uninformed people”.
The presenter’s words generated strong public outcry, including thousands of participations to ERC (Communication Regulatory Entity) and criticism from various public figures and the victim’s own parents.
Refusing to make an apology, Cristina Ferreira based on a professional career spanning more than two decades on television and only admitted that, if he had thought better, he would have phrased the question differently.
“I have been on television for over 20 years, I have asked thousands of questions on similar topics, I allow myself to study, read and listen to everything that has been said to me within the fields of psychology and forensic psychology”, added the TVI star.
“I consider myself a feminist because in my 20 years on television I have made a clear statement: it is possible to show, through my example, and that of other women, that a woman is capable. Am I sexist for wanting to understand the behavior of a rapist?”, he asked.
On the silence that kept In the days following the controversy, she explained that she initially minimized the criticism and only later realized that she was being placed “on the side of the rapist”.
Asked why she didn’t justify herself earlier, Cristina Ferreira said that on Sunday “there was someone expelled to remove from the House [dos Segredos]Monday is a rest day and I didn’t want the interview to be recorded.” He also revealed that was against the issuance of a TVI statement on the subjectwho came out in defense of the presenter.
Here is the channel’s statement:
“TVI cannot remain indifferent to the controversy generated regarding the rape case that was discussed on yesterday’s “Dois à 10” program.
A question asked by Cristina Ferreira to Crônica Criminal commentators on the subject triggered a chorus of criticism, with particular repercussions on social media.
We regret the form, tone, decontextualization and gross manipulation with which the presenter’s words are being interpreted and disseminated.
Under no circumstances would TVI, and of course Cristina Ferreira, agree with the trivialization of any crime, much less encourage or devalue it. Rapes or sex without consent can only be an object of repulsion and condemnation.
It is one thing to ask a question while performing one’s duties as presenter, with the aim of providing an opportunity to express repudiation of acts perpetrated by rapists, and another to express a critical opinion. The question happened, the comment didn’t, much less the expression of trivializing the crime.
Another thing is the impunity with which gratuitous and frivolous offenses spread, without control, especially on social media. The courts that will be appealed to will try to restore justice.”
