Opposition pressure mounts for RTP privatisation

Portugal’s Iniciativa Liberal (IL) has called for the full privatisation of public broadcaster RTP and an urgent independent audit of the company, placing the party broadly in line with Chega’s long-standing position that the State should withdraw entirely from television and radio broadcasting.

The proposal, submitted to parliament on Monday, recommends that the government commission a comprehensive audit of RTP covering its finances, assets, operations, tax affairs and legal framework. It also urges ministers to begin preparing for the complete privatisation of the broadcaster and the eventual abolition of public funding through the audiovisual contribution paid by electricity consumers.

The initiative was presented in a draft resolution signed by IL MP Rodrigo Saraiva. While the measure is not legally binding, it sets out the party’s vision for the future of Portugal’s public media sector.

Under the proposal, RTP would be required to publish detailed accounts broken down by business unit, including individual television channels, radio stations, digital platforms and regional operations. The party argues that greater transparency is needed to assess the true performance of each area of activity.

IL also wants an independent valuation of RTP’s assets and a restructuring plan identifying strategic assets, obsolete holdings and loss-making operations. According to the party, such a process would maximise the value of any future sale.

The proposal mirrors calls previously made by Chega leader André Ventura, who has repeatedly argued that RTP should be privatised and no longer financed by taxpayers. While the two parties differ on many issues, both now advocate a complete withdrawal of the State from ownership of the broadcaster.

In its justification, IL argues that RTP has failed to translate the significant public resources it receives into stronger audiences, market leadership or operational efficiency. The centre-right party claims the company suffers from structural weaknesses, limited profitability and a poor record of value creation when compared with private media operators.

IL further contends that forcing citizens to fund a media organisation they may not use is increasingly difficult to justify in a digital era where audiences have access to a wide range of content providers.

“The most coherent solution is the complete privatisation of RTP,” IL argues, maintaining that such a move would increase competition, strengthen consumer choice and enhance editorial independence.

The party is also calling for the gradual elimination of the audiovisual contribution, proposing that media services should instead be financed through voluntary payment by those who choose to use them.

Government signals wider RTP overhaul

The IL proposal comes amid a broader debate about the future role of public service broadcasting in Portugal. Supporters of RTP argue that the broadcaster plays a vital role in providing cultural, educational and regional programming that may not be commercially viable for private operators.

Although the government has not indicated that it intends to pursue privatisation, the debate over RTP’s future has drawn a response from ministers.

Less than a week after Chega leader André Ventura called for the broadcaster’s privatisation, Presidency Minister António Leitão Amaro told parliament last week that a broader restructuring of the public broadcaster is needed.

Speaking during a parliamentary hearing, Leitão Amaro said the government believes it is time to reassess the scope of RTP’s public service obligations and place a stronger emphasis on digital services. He noted that the state had recently injected €20 million into the broadcaster as part of an ongoing restructuring process aimed at improving long-term sustainability, including a voluntary redundancy programme.

The minister said RTP’s cost and revenue structure warranted further discussion and stressed that both the broadcaster’s management and the government recognised the need for additional adjustments. He added that the government had opened discussions with RTP’s leadership and was encouraging a wider debate on the company’s future, while acknowledging efforts already being made to reduce costs and improve financial sustainability.

Source: Sol/Expresso