Latest news and stories about media independence in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Workers at the news agency held a partial strike this Thursday in protest against the new statutes, which they claim endanger the independence of Lusa.
Workers' representatives from RTP and Lusa expressed concern over the future of these media outlets, criticizing the Portuguese government for lacking transparency regarding potential plans to merge the two companies. They highlighted uncertainties about the impact on editorial independence, institutional autonomy, and the quality of public broadcasting. The unions and editorial councils called for ongoing dialogue and urged workers to participate in upcoming protests in Lisbon and Porto to defend the independence and stability of public media.
Workers at the Portuguese news agency Lusa are striking from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to protest against recent restructuring and a new governance model approved by the government. The unions criticize the process as lacking transparency and argue that the new statutes threaten journalistic independence, potentially conflicting with the Portuguese Constitution and European media regulations. Concerns include plans for layoffs without clear strategies for strengthening teams and doubts about the independence of the agency if its headquarters move to the RTP building. The strike follows weeks of internal protests, including resolutions and demonstrations, with unions emphasizing the importance of maintaining editorial independence amid these changes. The government defends the reforms.
The article reports on protests by Lusa news agency workers in Lisbon and Porto, demanding that the Portuguese Regulatory Authority for Communication (ERC) address the recent revision of Lusa's statutes, which was carried out by the government. Union representatives argue that the restructuring and statutory changes conflict with European press freedom regulations and threaten the agency's independence. The protests included slogans and banners emphasizing the importance of autonomy and criticizing government influence. Workers plan to formally request ERC intervention and continue engaging with European institutions. The controversy centers on the company's reorganization, governance model, potential relocation to RTP facilities, and negotiations over working conditions, raising concerns about the future of Lusa and press freedom in Portugal.
Workers from RTP and Lusa in Portugal protested on March 12th, expressing concerns over the future of these public media outlets. They organized a partial strike and demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto to defend public service and press freedom. The unions and worker committees criticized the government's lack of transparency regarding potential plans to merge the agencies or relocate their headquarters, warning that such moves could threaten their editorial independence and institutional autonomy. The protest included a rally in front of the Council of Ministers, with notable participation from CGTP-IN leader Tiago Oliveira, who highlighted risks of political interference and governance issues. Workers are demanding the preservation of their independence, transparency in management decisions, and immediate negotiations on their demands.
The Minister of the Presidency says he wants to ensure that Lusa is never again subject to undue influence, declaring that he does not want the agency 'in the hands of a new Sócrates'. António Leitão Amaro argues that parliament is currently the best guarantee of that protection.
The article reports on a protest by workers at Lusa, Portugal's national news agency, who are demonstrating against perceived political interference. Despite their concerns, the government has refused to make concessions. The workers fear that political meddling could compromise journalistic independence and the agency's credibility. The protest highlights ongoing tensions between media independence and political influence in Portugal.
The union points out that “the independence of media outlets is an essential pillar of the democratic rule of law.”
The Socialist Party (PS) says the Government has undermined the independence of the Lusa news agency and is attempting to exert control over Parliament.
The Socialist Party says the Government has mounted an assault on the independence of the Lusa news agency and is attempting to exert control over the Parliament.