“I believe that as long as we have a public service, it must be paid, and as long as it needs to be paid, it should be through taxes. However, we should not have to pay more,” stated António Leitão during the second round of discussions regarding the proposed State Budget for 2026. This session included a joint hearing of the Committees on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sports, along with the Budget, Finance, and Public Administration Committee.
“Not everyone agrees that the Contribution for Audiovisual (CAV) is sufficient. Many, including within the organization, believe the CAV must increase,” continued Leitão Amaro.
“RTP is already facing difficulties, with negative results this year and forecasts for future issues,” he pointed out, “and the easiest answer is to raise the CAV.”
However, “I refuse this. We are not going to increase the CAV. We need to reduce costs,” reiterated the official.
Throughout the session, António Leitão Amaro mentioned Francisco Pinto Balsemão, founder of Expresso and SIC, four times as he discussed media matters. Francisco passed away last week.
Concerning support for the sector, the minister emphasized that these should primarily target “demand support rather than buying advertising, which is purchasing economic dependencies, and supporting digital transformation processes.”
He stated, “Support should focus on CAPEX, not OPEX [operational expenses], if I may say so, and also on journalists and their training. The Action Plan for Social Communication includes this, aiming at both hiring and journalist training across various areas, including social media management, financial literacy, etc., as needed, with increasing capacity and robustness.”
Repeatedly questioned about RTP, Leitão Amaro stressed that RTP must “reorganize” and “cut certain costs.”
Regarding the Social Communication Code, the minister noted that the election process decided by the deputies “delayed” its development, but hopes it will be presented by 2026.
As for purchasing 100% of Lusa, he stated it is “nearing completion.”
“I believe there is approval for the second necessary resolution within the cooperative’s social organs in the coming days,” he added, explaining the purchase involves a discount negotiation that was previously available to cooperative members as part of the social participation package.
Leitão Amaro also cited examples of potential synergies between Lusa and RTP.
“In creating anti-disinformation products, using resources, investing in technology, sharing spaces, and in some cases, external delegations, we can do much more together or otherwise would require far more resources,” he said.
“I think we should remain open-minded, always ensuring compliance with the journalistic ethical code and the independence and editorial freedom of each platform,” he mentioned.
The minister’s testimony was marked, around 6:00 PM, by a heated exchange involving Chega and Socialist Deputy Eva Cruzeiro, which concluded with an intervention by fellow Socialist Pedro Delgado Alves on freedom of expression.
In the first round, the minister highlighted the Government’s launch of the Action Plan for Social Communication, which includes several measures, “some implemented, others in progress,” “others being considered and improved.”
