Portuguese news agency workers denounce official's hostile outburst after meeting
Workers at Lusa news agency have accused an official from the Minister for the Presidency’s office of aggressive and insulting behaviour. The confrontation took place on April 29, following a formal meeting that had reportedly been polite and professional. Representatives from the Workers’ Committee (CT) described the official’s conduct as 'intimidating' and 'unbefitting of a public servant'. The incident unfolded at the end of a scheduled meeting at the Presidency Ministry. After discussions with Minister António Leitão Amaro concluded in a courteous manner, an unnamed official confronted the CT members in a 'visibly agitated tone'. For over ten minutes, the official questioned their integrity, made 'provocative' remarks, and criticised recent Lusa news coverage without specifying which reports.
The CT members, joined by union leaders and two other ministry officials, later reported feeling 'insulted and patronised'. They refused the official’s attempts to contact them by phone, insisting instead on a formal written response. The complaint, signed by three unions—the Journalists’ Union (SJ), SITESE, and SITE—was sent to the minister’s chief of staff, condemning the behaviour and demanding an explanation. In a written reply, the chief of staff acknowledged the official’s conduct as 'inappropriate'. Leitão Amaro’s office also pledged to maintain 'regular, respectful, and constructive' dialogue with workers. They stressed that 'any attempt to undermine the freedom and independence of journalists and media outlets would never be tolerable'. The official had also displayed a 'complete lack of understanding' of the roles of workers’ committees, unions, and editorial leadership.
The minister’s office has recognised the official’s behaviour as unacceptable. The CT and unions now await further action following their formal complaint. The incident has highlighted tensions between public officials and media workers over professional conduct and journalistic independence.
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