ERC and CCPJ investigate suspected irregularities in CentroTV

A CentroTV began to ensure coverage in the Coimbra region of TVI/CNN Portugal this month, being that media agency held by the same company that ensures the transmission of meetings of the Coimbra Chamber since 2023.

Asked by Lusa, ERC stated that, following the questions submitted, it examined the elements reported by BKN – Breaking News, a company that owns CentroTV.

“ From this assessment resulted in the identification of several non-compliances of obligations provided for in Law No 78/2015, so the Regulatory Board of the ERC determined the opening of a investigation procedure to the company”, he added, in written response.

In addition, the CCPJ stated that the case of suspicions of incompatibilities had already been the subject of participation in the past with the entity through a complaint, but that it has not yet been dispatched.

Breaking News is the same company that has concluded contracts with the municipality of Coimbra since 2023 to ensure the live transmission (streaming) of the meetings of the House and the local Assembly.

The last of these contracts, concluded after prior consultation in April this year, has a value of EUR 32,000, with a two-year execution period, according to the platform for the publication of public contracts Base.

The Director of Information of CentroTV and managing partner of BKN, Paulo Leitão, regularly participates in the transmission operation in streaming of the Chamber meetings.

“ An information director of a media agency cannot collaborate in streaming services executed under a contract concluded with a city council, for substantiating a situation of incompatibility with the exercise of the journalist profession”, explained CCPJ, without commenting on the specific case.

In a written response to Lusa, the CCPJ further clarified that “the social object of a company owned by a media agency may comprise other areas of activity not linked to journalism, provided that the functions related to them are performed by professionals other than the management of information”.

“ Only the specific assessment of the case may lead to a conclusion on the matter, which is expected shortly”, he said.

The new collaboration of CentroTV with CNN Portugal in the region comes after the end of the contractual relationship with the previous producer and journalists and image reporters associated with it, all of them working exclusively for TVI/CNN for more than 15 years from Coimbra.

The former producer informed the journalists concerned in August that TVI “communicated unilaterally the termination of this contractual relationship, with effect on 30 September 2026”, according to a communication that Lusa had access to.

The producer also explained that, by terminating this relationship, the company becomes unfeasible and will cease fully its activity, failing to maintain the business structure and jobs.

Contacted by Lusa agency, Paulo Leitão refused to issue any comment on the subject.

Also the director of information of TVI and CNN Portugal, Nuno Santos, refused to comment on the matter.

On its website, CentroTV, 100% owned by Breaking News (BKN), announced that, as of this month, it will ensure “daily” news content for TVI and CNN Portugal, from the Coimbra region and other points of the Central region of the country.