Lisbon, Dec. 12, 2025 (Lusa) - Directors of general and thematic print media issued a "very serious warning" on Friday due to the deterioration of the printing industry and the suffocation of distribution chains, and in defence of the press.
This warning comes a week after the management of Vasp - Distribuição e Logística announced that it is assessing the need to adjust the daily distribution of newspapers in the districts of Beja, Évora, Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Viseu, Vila Real and Bragança.
In an article published today in the press, the directors of all daily general-interest newspapers, all weekly newspapers, the only daily print publication in the field of economics, news magazines and general and thematic magazines, and all daily newspapers are sounding the alarm to civil society and all political leaders, both at the central government level and in local authorities.
According to the signatories, the ongoing decline of the printing industry and the progressive suffocation of distribution chains are two factors that put Portugal at serious risk of losing access to the written press in large areas of its territory very soon.
"For many of our publications, the main way to ensure regular contact with the public is already to print in Spanish companies. This comes with all the inherent difficulties and constraints, in addition to the damage to the national economy," the text states.
In the text, the signatories highlight the crisis announced by VASP, stating that "no longer having newspapers and magazines in significant areas of the national territory will cut off access for a significant part of the population to news professionally validated by our newsrooms," the text states.
In the signatories' view, the situation "will also inevitably lead to the erosion of the sharing throughout the country of the major news flows, the main news and collective interests, in short, the greatest concerns and common causes".
They also stress that for many Portuguese people, reading a newspaper a weekly newspaper, or a magazine is their only contact with the written Portuguese language.
They also warn that the end of the print media would further increase the danger of misinformation and “fake news” on social media.
"Finally, we must warn of the danger that this decline represents for the media, an economic activity that employs thousands of people in Portugal, qualified professionals who contribute to the collective national wealth, as well as to the health and vitality of democracy," they stress.
According to the signatories, journalists, technicians, photojournalists, graphic designers, producers, and many other professionals will face job losses as a result of this breakdown in the distribution chain.
"In defence of journalism, but above all democracy and freedom, we cannot be silent accomplices to a risk that can and must be avoided. It is time to join forces and ensure that the written press continues to reach all Portuguese people, throughout the country, as the mainstay of a healthy, informed and vibrant democracy," they said.
The article is signed by the directors of Diário de Notícias, Jornal de Notícias, Noticias Ilimitadas, Volta ao Mundo, A Bola, Visão, Expresso, Público, Nascer do Sol, Negócios, Record, O Jogo, Correio da Manhã, Sábado and Sábado Viajante.
On Tuesday, the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) called on the government to ensure the means and mechanisms for press distribution nationwide, following VASP's acknowledgement of interruptions in eight districts.
In a statement sent to the Lusa news agency, the ANMP considers that this "will jeopardise access to information, as there will be areas of the country that will be excluded from press distribution routes, which until now have been guaranteed throughout the country".
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