“The Journalists’ Union vehemently condemns the unfounded accusations recently directed at Lusa Agency journalists by the Chega party,” it stated.
The SJ’s position follows statements made on October 5th, when Chega’s deputy Pedro Frazão posted on social media, challenging the impartiality of Lusa agency journalists.
According to SJ, “these declarations, which question the integrity and professionalism of Lusa’s reporters and editors, represent an unjustified attack on the free and independent exercise of journalism, one of the fundamental pillars of Portuguese democracy.”
SJ also emphasized that Lusa has “decades of public service” and is “recognized for its impartiality, rigor, and commitment to truth.”
“Its professionals work daily under clear ethical and deontological criteria, ensuring that all facts are verified and presented with balance and responsibility,” they stated.
For SJ, “any attempt to discredit journalistic work through insinuations or political attacks is profoundly serious and dangerous,” pointing out that “freedom of the press is not a privilege of journalists—it is a right of all citizens to be informed freely and plurally.”
“We reaffirm, therefore, our total support for the Lusa journalists and all media professionals in Portugal who continue to perform their work with courage, ethics, and dedication, even in the face of pressure or attempts at intimidation,” they emphasized.
The Information Directorate, Editorial Board (CR), and Workers’ Committee (CT) of Lusa had already issued statements on the matter.
“The Information Directorate of Lusa supports the vehement condemnation by the elected members of the Editorial Board and the Workers’ Committee of the accusations against the independence of Lusa agency journalists, which were spread on social media by Chega party deputy Pedro Frazão,” the Direction noted in a statement published on October 10th.
Meanwhile, the Workers’ Committee and the Editorial Board of the agency regarded the attack against Lusa journalist Sofia Branco as targeting all agency professionals.
“The elected members of the CR and CT of Lusa will not be intimidated by the declarations of Chega’s deputy,” they stated, emphasizing that “Lusa agency journalists do not obey political parties, ideologies, religions, or companies.”
