The Regulatory Entity for the Media (ERC) issued a negative opinion on the restructuring of the Portuguese news agency Lus(a. According to the regulator, the way the restructuring was conducted does not ensure the editorial independence of the agency in relation to political power.
The ERC's opinion points to violations of the legal framework that regulates public service media in Portugal. The Lus(a agency is a public company that should follow specific rules of independence and informational pluralism.
Lus(a has faced financial difficulties and governance issues for several years. The restructuring process aimed to resolve these problems, but the regulator considers that the measures adopted are not sufficient to guarantee the agency's autonomy against political influences.
The ERC's opinion is an advisory document, but it carries significant institutional weight in the Portuguese media sector. The final decision on the restructuring lies with the government and Lus(a's management bodies.
