Portuguese media groups contest new local government transparency law

Four Portuguese media and radio associations—API, AIC, APR, and ARIC—have expressed concerns regarding a new legal regime for the publication of local government deliberations. While the organizations welcomed the approval of the regime, which aims to enhance transparency and the right to information, they criticized the removal of a key enforcement mechanism.

According to the associations, the original government proposal stipulated that a local government decision would not have legal effect until it was published in the media. However, during parliamentary discussions, this provision was eliminated with support from the PS and Chega parties, while the PSD voted against it. The associations argue that without this legal consequence for non-compliance, the obligation to publish relies solely on the goodwill of the local authorities.

The groups are calling for a national monitoring system to track compliance and are requesting a formal evaluation of the regime after one year, rather than the two years currently specified in the law.