“It is a very big risk. I myself, now here with the hat of a deputy, questioned the minister about this in the previous legislature. The Lusa agency, an information agency, plays a fundamental role not only in covering the national territory but also has a very important role in combating misinformation,” he stated on the sidelines of a dinner with supporters.
The candidate highlighted the work of the agency, recalling that in Europe and the world, we are going through “a phase where distinguishing the real from the false, truth from lies, is increasingly complex.”
“And the media has a predominant role here. An agency like Lusa perhaps bears more responsibility than all other media outlets by ensuring its method of investigation, producing news, and questioning everything that needs to be questioned remains untouched,” he continued.
In this context, he considered that “governmentalization is problematic,” advocating for a Lusa agency “that is capable of doing its job, preferably always remaining public, completely public, but with the autonomy to have its editorial line, autonomy for its work, and autonomy regarding the means to continue covering the entire national territory, including the archipelagos and also the diaspora.”
“I sincerely hope that the Government has no temptation to act otherwise, because if so, as President of the Republic, I would have a voice to say that this is not the way, that we need a Lusa agency that is fully independent and performs what is expected, and not only expected, what is respected by the Portuguese, which is the work of quality, independence and even courage that is currently recognized at Agência Lusa,” warned Jorge Pinto.
The PS announced today that it will request a parliamentary hearing with the minister of the Presidency regarding the future institutional organization model of Agência Lusa, believing there is a “danger of governmentalization” of the news agency.
“Our biggest concern is the danger of governmentalization of Lusa,” stated the PS parliamentary leader, Eurico Brilhante Dias, to journalists in parliament.
As an “immediate initiative,” the PS will summon the minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, who oversees the media sector, “to clarify the path he wants to take with Lusa and, in particular, the new institutional governance form of the news agency.”
