Erika Hilton wins court order for right of reply against Ratinho

A Brazilian court has ordered the television network SBT to broadcast a right of reply from Federal Deputy Erika Hilton on the program hosted by presenter Ratinho. The decision, issued by the 3rd Chamber of Private Law of the São Paulo Court of Justice, follows comments made by Ratinho regarding Hilton’s gender identity.

The court ruled unanimously that the presenter’s remarks moved beyond political criticism into the realm of “denial of gender identity” and “personal ridicule.” The ruling requires the network to air a video from the deputy during the same time slot as the original broadcast, under penalty of a daily fine of R$ 50,000.

In response to the legal actions and complaints, Ratinho has defended his comments as an exercise of “freedom of expression.” He criticized what he described as “social media patrolling” and suggested that certain groups use social causes to gain political or financial advantages. He further stated that he has a “phobia of injustice” and “bad character.”