Portugal's ERC launches sanction process against media channel Conta Lá over undisclosed municipal sponsorships

The Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social (ERC) has opened a contraordenação proceeding against the television channel Conta Lá – Conteúdos Audiovisuais S.A. for failing to clearly identify sponsorships from 33 Portuguese municipalities in its "Melhor Natal de Portugal" programme. The regulator reviewed the episodes aired between December 2025 and January 2024 and concluded that the lack of proper identification could compromise editorial independence.

At the same time, employees of Conta Lá have not received their July salaries. Administrator Maurício Ribeiro, speaking to Lusa, said he “deeply understands the anxiety and uncertainty” of the staff and that a solution is being worked on, pending a shareholders' general meeting on 6 August. The meeting will decide the project's viability, the appointment of a new management board, and the settlement of outstanding wages.