Tributes Pour In for José António Saraiva: A Legendary Figure in Portuguese Journalism

José António Saraiva Passes Away

José António Saraiva, the former director of Expresso and founder of Sol, passed away on March 6th, at the age of 77. His death was reported by Sol, the newspaper he established in 2006.

Saraiva was the longest-serving director in the history of Expresso, holding the position for 22 years from 1983 to 2005. In his last opinion piece, published on February 28, he expressed his feelings about journalism, stating, "I never felt like a journalist... A newspaper is bought and thrown in the trash the next day. A journalist is an employee who can influence people but leaves no mark, no milestone in place."

Reactions from Political Figures

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed his condolences, highlighting Saraiva's contributions as a "political analyst, historical chronicler, and publication director." He stated, "It's impossible to recount the periods of the 80s and 90s without mentioning his contribution, heir to a very rich family lineage, including his father, António José Saraiva, and his uncle, José Hermano Saraiva."

A Life in Journalism

Saraiva began his journalism career at a young age, contributing to publications like Diário de Lisboa Juvenil and Comércio do Funchal. He later wrote for various newspapers, including Diário de Lisboa, A Bola, and Portugal Hoje. He joined Expresso in 1983 at the invitation of Vicente Jorge Silva.

In 2006, he left Expresso to launch Sol, alongside José António Lima, Mário Ramires, and Vítor Rainho. Born in Lisbon on January 31, 1948, he was the son of a noted essayist and historian, António José Saraiva.

Controversial Works

Saraiva authored four novels and several works on politics and history. One of his most controversial books, Eu e os Políticos, led to a court conviction for violating privacy laws. In 2018, he faced legal action from the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality over a transphobic opinion piece, raising significant public discourse on discrimination.

Legacy

His contributions to journalism and political commentary have left an indelible mark on Portuguese media, and he will be remembered as a distinctive voice in the field.