Portugal: Union demands further support for media sector

The Portuguese Journalists' Union (SJ) has strengthened its call on the government for increased support for the media sector and denounced the fact that the 15 million euros package announced on April 17 has not yet been implemented. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its Portuguese affiliate in calling for urgent support measures to support the media sector and freelance journalists.

Credits: IFJ

The SJ has claimed that more than a month has passed since the Secretary of State for Cinema, Audiovisual and Media pledged to discuss structural and comprehensive support measures for the media sector with media and journalists’ organizations. However, no action or decision has followed.

The SJ warned that the media needs public support to strengthen the sustainability of a sector which was already in a structural crisis that is now aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The union also claimed that the emergency support package of 15 million euros announced by the government on 17 April is not enough and that medium and long-term measures must be adopted.

The SJ said: “We reaffirm our willingness to continue the dialogue with the Ministry of Culture, but stress the urgency of this dialogue and the need to approve support measures that will be essential for the survival of a free, independent and plural journalism in Portugal”.

Free masks for freelance journalists

The union also announced it had received a donation made by the Portuguese Press Association (API) of hundreds of masks that will be distributed among freelance journalists.

In a press release, the SJ said that “freelance journalists are currently living in a situation of special fragility” while reaffirming its commitment to ensure the safety of its members

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: "It's crucial that governments from all over the world launch ambitious public support programs to protect journalists and independent journalism. We support the SJ's demands, which are in line with the proposals in the IFJ Global Platform for a Quality Journalism"

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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