“While many focus on criticizing communication, in the neighboring country, Portugal is highlighted as an example of effective crisis management and communication,” stated António Leitão Amaro during a parliamentary permanent committee urgent debate requested by the PCP regarding Monday’s power outage.
Following various criticisms from the opposition concerning the government’s communication strategy during this event, particularly from the PS, Leitão Amaro argued that “those who concentrate on discussing difficulties in public communication do so because they acknowledge that the fundamental aspects worked.”
Moments later, addressing the PS directly, the minister expressed regret that the socialists, “instead of acknowledging” the absence of casualties, attempted to be “opportunistic about a disaster that did not happen.”
The minister emphasized that the government attempted to communicate with the population through “all channels, from televisions to social media, SMS to radio.”
“And yes, we prioritized radio because we know it to be the most resilient medium in such situations. The power interruption occurred at 11:33. I, myself, on behalf of the Government, was communicating through radio and television to the country less than an hour later. The Prime Minister spoke three times that day, the first at 15:05. Ministries, authorities, and energy suppliers issued information and warnings to the public throughout the day using the available means,” he outlined.
According to Leitão Amaro, the government sought to ensure “necessary communication without ever resorting to opportunistic political propaganda exercises.”
The official highlighted that the entire crisis demanded “calm and competent leadership,” a role the Government assumed by declaring an energy crisis, activating crisis contingency coordination mechanisms as provided by law, and ensuring prioritized supply to essential services, hospitals, security forces, transportation, and Civil Protection.
