José Manuel Fernandes is Administrator and publisher of the Portuguese Online Newspaper “Observador” since 2014. Former editor in chief of the Portuguese daily "PÚBLICO" till 2009.

Attended the Biology BA, in the Sciences College of the Lisbon University; Journalist since 1976, worked in the weekly "Expresso" between 1980 and 1989. Founder of the daily newspaper "PÚBLICO" in 1989. Contributor and member of the Editorial Board of the revue "Risco" during all its existence. Contributor and member of the Editorial Board of the magazine "Nova Cidadania" since it was founded. Founder and member of the direction of the Press Observatory. Former member of the board of the World Forum of Editors. Author of several books, namely “Liberdade e Informação”, FFMS, 2011.

Great Prize of the Portuguese Press Club in 1998. Former guest Professor of the Lisbon College of Media, of the Human Sciences College of the Catholic University and of the Emprise Communication College