Government opposes ERC and defends legality of the Lusa Statutes

O minister of the Presidency said today that he disagrees with the interpretation that the Lusa Statutes are in disconformity and out of institutional respect he abstained from commenting on the technical and legal quality of the ERC document.

“I think it is very important” that a review of the Lusa Statute be carried out in the coming months “which will be done by the Advisory Council” and, when this evaluation is completed, “if you recommend these adjustments and if we agree with them”, there may be changes, said António Leitão Amaro, when questioned by the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, within the framework of a regimental hearing.

The minister also said that he did not deviate from the idea that there would be a disagreement in the new Lusa Statutes.

“I disagree with the interpretation that can be made that there is non-compliance,” he pointed out, alluding to the opinion of the Regulatory Body for Social Communication (ERC), which considered that “it is not in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework” nor with the recommendations and “good practices of independent functioning of a public media”.

Leitão Amaro also said that the Lusa Statutes were explained to the European Commission, which did not put any obstacle.

In this sense, he said he did not want to make any more comments on the subject and prefer to refrain from commenting on the “technical and legal quality of the document for institutional respect”.

On the question of hiring Brussels in Lusa, “I want to clarify that my understanding” of the Press Act is the power to hire journalists, it is up to the Management Board to appoint the heads of directors and to pronounce on proposals for hiring.

The minister reiterated the strengthening of Lusa in Brussels because that is where the main institutions that legislate in Europe and have an impact on Portugal are located.

“I have a positive assessment of Lusa’s staff,” having more information in Brussels “means we want to go further,” he said.