In the television programme “Jornal da Noite” broadcast by SIC on 27 March 2025, presented by journalist Clara de Sousa, suspicions were raised and false statements were disseminated which call into question my good name and reputation as a citizen and entrepreneur.
Contrary to what was reported in the aforementioned programme, I was not present at a lunch in support of Admiral Gouveia e Melo, but rather at a lunch organised by the International Club of Portugal, of which my company is a sponsor, under the theme “Leadership and Ambition”. The guest speaker was Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and the event was attended by several prominent members of civil society.
The event is publicly advertised on the Club’s website and was attended by various members of the media, including SIC, represented by journalist Pedro Coelho.
This journalist, who approached me during the event, was aware of these facts but omitted them in the report.
Despite having been informed by me of the reason for my presence, he chose to broadcast a news piece of a completely different nature and content — one that was entirely false and detrimental to my personal rights.
Starting with the subtitle “Presidential Elections 2026 — César do Paço attended Gouveia e Melo lunch”, which does not correspond to the truth, the report immediately creates in the viewer’s mind a distorted idea of the facts, making it seem as though it was a political event rather than an institutional one — which it was.
Furthermore, the remainder of the news piece lacked any informational rigor or accuracy, failing to properly inform viewers about the nature of the event and instead launching baseless insinuations and suspicions about me, in an absurd and wholly inappropriate manner for a news segment.
It is regrettable that Mr. Pedro Coelho, having been present at the event and having interviewed me there, produced a completely false report about the event and about my person, with the sole intention of damaging my image and reputation.
Given that this is a sensitive matter that affects my dignity, and because it is important to restore the truth of the facts, I am compelled to exercise my right of reply with the necessary rectification of the insinuations and suspicions that do not correspond to the truth.
I expect nothing more than the appropriate retraction.
César DePaço