Regulators investigate CentroTV over suspected irregularities

The Portuguese Media Regulatory Authority (ERC) and the Journalist Professional Card Commission (CCPJ) are investigating suspected irregularities at CentroTV, which provides journalistic coverage for TVI/CNN Portugal in the Coimbra region.

The ERC confirmed that after analyzing information provided by BKN — Breaking News, the company that owns CentroTV, it identified several failures to comply with obligations set out in Law No. 78/2015. Consequently, the ERC Regulatory Council has opened an inquiry into the company.

Concerns have been raised regarding potential conflicts of interest, as BKN — Breaking News also holds contracts with the Coimbra Municipality to provide live streaming services for local council and assembly meetings. One such contract, signed in April, is valued at 32,000 euros over two years. The CCPJ noted that suspicions of incompatibility had been previously reported but had not yet resulted in a formal decision.