Portugal: CFWIJ condemns the racist attack against journalist Conceição Queiroz
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May 6, 2021- TVI correspondent Conceição Queiroz was intimidated and racially attacked by a passerby during her live broadcast for 24 Journal on May 3. The journalist was interviewing residents in the village of Resende on the first working day after a week-long lockdown. While Conceição was filming live, she was attacked by a bystander. The unknown woman approached Conceição’s microphone and told the journalist that she should go and pursue some other job. The woman continued to harass the journalist and said that she has no right to report since she was born somewhere else. The broadcast from Baixa de Lisboa was abruptly cut during the confrontation. CFWIJ is discouraged by the nature of the attack. We condemn the racial profiling of Conceição Queiroz and demand law enforcement authorities to apprehend the woman and hold her accountable for her demeaning treatment towards the journalist.
The video of the incident was shared by the social network that focuses on Black community rights in Portugal, Eu nas Minhas Philosofias. In the footage, Conceição tried to avoid contact, but the assailant managed to approach the journalist's microphone and hurl insulting remarks. The journalist stated, “It took me by surprise, and fortunately, it was recorded for those who say that we exaggerate things when we say that we crazy people every day and despicable stories.” The journalist thanked everyone for supporting her and condemning the unfortunate event.
A Twitter user Vitor S., shared the video on the incident in a tweet, saying that, “ConceiçãoQueirozhas suffered racism many times. Comments like - you are black, take the space of Portuguese - have already been communicated to TVI for her removal, and today it was live where she faced insult.”
A Conceição Queiroz já sofreu racismo diversas vezes, mensagens como “Sua preta, tiras o lugar dos portugueses”, já ligaram para a TVI a pedir que seja afastada e hoje foi em directo que sofreu insultos.
— Vitor S. (@homemdasteclas) May 3, 2021
Mas como é óbvio, Portugal não é racista. pic.twitter.com/spkdbkjc8R
The Coalition For Women In Journalism regularly documents disconcerting cases of racial threats and intimidation. We demand that Portuguese authorities take action to counter racially motivated attacks and create a safe environment for Black women journalists and the Black community. We urge Lisbon police to apprehend the woman responsible for insulting the journalist and enforce anti-discrimination laws to prevent future incidents of intolerance.
