In a democratic state governed by the rule of law, freedom of the press is a structural pillar, not a mere institutional accessory. Recent actions by Ana Abrunhosa, who withdrew 'trust' from a journalist following unfavourable coverage, highlight a concerning trend where political figures view the media as an extension of their own communication offices rather than an independent body for scrutiny. This instrumentalisation of the press—welcoming coverage only when it is favourable and attacking it when it is critical—threatens the integrity of the democratic public sphere. Such behaviour risks normalising the intimidation of journalists and undermining the essential role of the media as a counter-power, demonstrating that democracy is often eroded not by sudden collapse, but by the gradual normalisation of anti-democratic practices.