Brussels, April 16, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Commission said on Thursday that it would exercise its powers to ensure compliance with press freedom regulations if the amendment to the Lusa news agency’s articles of association fails to align with European Union (EU) rules.
In a written response to MEP Catarina Martins (Left Bloc), the EU executive confirmed that it remained in contact with Portugal, among other member states, to ensure that its legislation complied with the European Media Freedom Act, applicable since 8 August 2025, saying that it would exercise its enforcement powers to ensure compliance where necessary, with a particular focus on systemic issues.
In February, the MEP asked the Commission whether Lusa's new articles of association complied with European regulations on press freedom, saying that they “promote greater government control and political oversight”.
She said that Article 5 of the European Regulation on Media Freedom stipulates that “Member States shall ensure that public service media providers are editorially and functionally independent and provide in an impartial manner a plurality of information and opinions to their audiences”.
The trade unions representing Lusa’s workers have asked the European Commission about the possibility of opening an investigation to assess compliance with European law regarding the agency’s restructuring and new governance model, following the state’s purchase of the agency's entire share capital in November 2025.
However, they have not yet received a response from Brussels.
Among the changes was the creation of a 13-member Advisory Committee, six of whom are to be appointed by political authorities (three by the parliament, two by the Autonomous Regions governments and one by the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities), four by business associations and one by the Portuguese public broadcaster RTP.
“Only two are appointed by bodies representing Lusa’s workers (one by the Editorial Board and one by the company’s Workers’ Committee),” the trade unions said.
IG/MYAL // ADB.
Lusa
