Lisbon, July 16, 2025 (Lusa) - Journalist António José Teixeira stated on Wednesday that the reasons for his dismissal as director of news at RTP television were those that the administration communicated to him, namely the need for renewal.

He appeared before the parliamentary committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, following a request from the PS, after the RTP Board of Directors (CA) removed him from his post in June.

“The reasons for my dismissal are those that were communicated to me,” said António José Teixeira, who repeatedly stated that they were the “need for renewal” and “restructuring” during the hour-long hearing.

“I prefer to refrain from speculating about them [the reasons for his dismissal], [...] I leave that to those who are better placed” to respond on the subject, he continued.

António José Teixeira, who said the Regulatory Authority for the Media (ERC) had already heard him due to his dismissal, stated that the Board of Directors’ decision is legitimate and that “appointments are temporary”.

He stressed that the formalities were respected and that the administration had already contacted the Editorial Board (CR) after the ERC urged the Board of Directors to comply with procedures. “Obviously, there are mechanisms that must be observed in this matter, and I believe that they are being followed,” he added.

“The restructuring of RTP that the broadcaster has announced extends beyond the news department,” said the dismissed news director when asked about the issue.

He also highlighted RTP’s governance model, the Independent General Council (CGI), which the then minister Miguel Poiares Maduro created to ensure the independence of the public media group.

“It provided significant autonomy for the company, and I have benefited from this autonomy and freedom, which benefits our work at RTP, protecting it from attempts at interference,” he stressed.

António José Teixeira also emphasised that current or former members of the government do not interfere directly.

Asked to assess the Board of Directors, the journalist pointed out that this is the responsibility of the CGI.

At the beginning of his speech, the journalist expressed his gratitude for the “opportunity to provide some clarification that may be useful” and reported that he learned of his dismissal on 23 June, the day before his resignation was made public.

The news of his dismissal “was given directly the day before,” with the explanation that this was due to the need for renewal and restructuring at RTP.

“On that day, I sought to clarify whether the information would be disclosed that day, and the media reported this decision in the early afternoon on the 24th.”

A journalist “for many years, I have also been involved in political analysis [...], I leave it to others to assess the ‘timing’ of the decision,” he said in response to the PS, which was the party that requested his urgent hearing, as well as that of the CA, the date of which is still to be announced.

Regarding RTP3’s ratings, he stressed several times that “the results have remained stable for the past three years.”

RTP’s audience figures “have remained stable” in the last three years, insisted the dismissed director.

However, this “does not mean that we are satisfied with them,” he continued, pointing out that for this reason, the broadcaster is investing in improving results and the service offered.

“That is what we have been doing, what we were doing, what we continue to do and what will be visible at RTP in the coming months,” he stressed.

During the hearing, which lasted approximately an hour, he outlined the activities of the dismissed television news board, citing the “significant improvements needed” in working conditions, specifically the provision of new studios to the news department.

‘The primary concern of public service is its reliability and pluralism, with competition with private companies taking second place.’

During the hearing, Chega asked António José Teixeira “why, throughout his leadership, the ideological composition of the newsroom remained virtually intact.”

In response, the journalist said: “Our job is to do what we are obliged to do, to follow our code of ethics rather than the ideological codes of the government, the opposition or any party whatsoever.”

“I have been dealing with various attempts at influencing us for a long time, and the relevant issue for us is whether we maintain our independence,” he stressed.

During the hearing, the journalist also argued that ‘journalism should be independent by nature, not because it is a public service’ and considered it “important” that parliament be concerned with free and independent journalism in Portugal and at RTP.

ALU/ADB // ADB.

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