Lisbon, March 12, 2026 (Lusa) - The workers' commissions at Portugal's state broadcaster, RTP and Lusa news agency have expressed concern about the future of the two companies, considering that the Government has been lacking transparency in the public policies announced and has created an environment of uncertainty.

In a joint statement, the commissions pointed to the "lack of clear and definitive information from the government about the possible merger of Lusa and RTP into a single entity".

"The two workers' commissions warn that merging the headquarters into the same space could affect the identity of the respective media outlets, as well as the final product of the work of public television, public radio and the news agency," reads the statement, which was also signed by other organisations representing RTP and Lusa workers, such as editorial boards and trade unions.

In the joint statement, which came after a meeting on Tuesday to analyse the "current context of public policies announced by the government aimed at both companies," the commissions committed to "maintaining permanent coordination and evaluating the adoption of joint positions and initiatives."

"This meeting resulted in a common, responsible and unequivocal position on the defence of editorial independence, institutional autonomy and stable working conditions in the respective entities, which are fundamental pillars for the fulfilment of public service missions," they stressed.

The commissions also called for the mobilisation of all workers for the demonstrations scheduled by Lusa for Thursday, between 11:00 and 13:00, which will take place in Lisbon, in front of the Government headquarters (Campus XXI), and in Porto, in front of the Lusa delegation (Praça Coronel Pacheco, no. 2).

DMC/AYLS // AYLS

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