The Portuguese Press Association (API) expressed today, in a statement, that it is “indignant at the continued indifference of the State Budget towards the press sector”.
As API points out, “once again, none of the proposed amendments to the OE concerning the media sector was approved. At least 7 proposals from various parties were made, with the exception of the PS, and the Governments' complete indifference to this sector continues».
The API adds that “for more than 10 years, industry associations have proposed sensible support measures, which imply practically no investment by the State. These are measures in terms of IRS, such as equal treatment in relation to expenses with gyms, pets, restaurants, mechanics, etc., and in terms of IRC, such as reducing the tax on the purchase of advertising by advertisers. ».
Furthermore, points out the API, «the OE has not had any variation in the amount allocated to the media for several years (excluding RTP and the Lusa agency), which indicates that there is no concern with the sector, with the heading only copied from year to year'.
In its statement, the Press Association also underlines that “the pandemic and the Ukrainian War have worsened the situation of a sector already in difficulty and to face this situation, API presented a plan of 5 extraordinary measures for 3 months. They were very well received, but nothing was done».
In this sense, API says it expects “to be heard in the 2023 OE, so that its proposals can still be considered, as well as the exceptional measures regarding the price of paper”.
“Leaving the state support regime for the Media as it is is a disservice to democracy. It is an illusion to think that independent journalism will exist without public support. The State has to think about how it wants to support its media and, with that, take care of the “health” of the democratic system. This issue should be a priority for the Government and, therefore, it is necessary to act now”, says João Palmeiro, president of API.
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