The leadership of the Union of Journalists (SJ) has been confronted with the dramatic news of the dismissal of all employees of the Trust in News (TiN) group on Friday, July 25, according to a statement released today.
The union states that this outcome has been unfolding for months and the true extent of the situation must be investigated in all its dimensions, including journalistic, economic, financial, political, and even judicial aspects.
The statement criticizes the “incomprehensible and intolerable” stance of the insolvency administrator of TiN, who personally delivered the dismissal notice to approximately 80 employees, asking them to continue working to keep the titles alive, with the argument of generating revenue, despite no guarantee of remuneration.
SJ fears a bargain sale is being prepared, without “the inconvenience and bother” of having people to pay salaries and guarantee rights.
It explains that, depending on employee seniority, the notice period for dismissal ranges from 30 to 75 days. Essentially, employees owed their June salary, soon July’s, and May and June’s holiday and meal allowances, are being asked to keep working without a pay guarantee.
This is to keep a business alive that, we suspect, will be sold ‘at the 25th hour’, SJ warns.
The union cautions that anyone who agrees to continue working could be helping to salvage a deal with unclear terms at this time.
Additionally, losing all their rights as dismissed workers, there is no guarantee of being integrated into a potentially new company.
SJ reminds that, beyond being asked to work without pay, akin to slavery, in hopes of a saving sale, workers might be contributing to preserving titles that, in the future, could be used for journalism completely different from what they have done, during years when the group TiN’s rigorous journalistic scrutiny contributed to a more informed society, as long as it had financial capacity.
The union says these times reveal “the fragility of journalism interests many social actors, some of whom rejoice at the unemployment of these 80 people.”
We know many wish for the end of this profession, preferring not to be scrutinized, to lie freely, as they do not work for or desire a more just and equitable society, it laments.
In this context, the union finds it even more lamentable and deeply incomprehensible that nearly two months since taking office, the Minister of the Presidency, Leitão Amaro, responsible for media affairs, has yet to respond to an audience request made by SJ shortly after his position was formalized.
The Judicial Court of the District of Lisbon West rejected TiN’s insolvency plan in June, deciding to shut down its activities: “In these terms, I decide not to approve the insolvency plan presented by Trust in News,” reads a document dated June 18, obtained by Lusa.
At the time, TiN shareholder Luís Delgado told Lusa he intended to appeal the decision that led to the company’s closure, which holds titles such as Visão, Exame, Jornal de Letras, Activa, Telenovelas, TV Mais, and Caras.
If possible, we will appeal the decision denying the approval of the insolvency plan that was approved by 77% of the creditors, the manager stated then.
