The São Paulo Court of Justice suspended on Thursday the order requiring SBT to air a right of reply from congresswoman Erika Hilton on the Programa do Ratinho.
Judge Mario Chiuvite Júnior of the 3rd Private Law Chamber granted SBT’s appeal and ordered the temporary suspension of the first-instance ruling. The measure remains in effect until the appeal is decided.
The original June ruling by judge André Della Latta Cartaxo found that Ratinho’s comments on Hilton’s gender identity exceeded the limits of free speech. The network was required to broadcast the reply in the same time slot and with equivalent prominence.
Erika Hilton’s defense stated it will await the second-instance judgment and believes the sentence will be upheld. The case continues under review at the São Paulo Court of Justice.