SBT ordered to air right of reply for Erika Hilton

A court in São Paulo has rejected an appeal by the SBT television network, upholding a ruling that requires the broadcaster to air a right-of-reply video for Federal Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP). The decision follows transphobic comments made by presenter Carlos Roberto Massa, known as Ratinho, regarding Hilton’s gender identity.

The dispute stems from March remarks made by Ratinho when Hilton assumed the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies' Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights. The presenter questioned her legitimacy, stating she was trans and that the position should be held by a ‘real woman.’

Judge Mario Chiuvitte ruled that the comments constituted a personal attack and a degradation of gender identity that exceeded the bounds of freedom of expression. The judge dismissed SBT’s argument that airing the response near an election could provide an undue electoral advantage, stating, “The condition of a parliamentarian candidate does not immunize the aggressor nor suspend the effectiveness of the judicial decision.”

SBT has ten days to comply with the order, which mandates the video be aired during the same program, at the same time, and with the same prominence as the original remarks. Failure to comply will result in a daily fine of 50,000 reais.