José Sena Goulão / Lusa
RTP’s Information Director, António José Teixeira, in a hearing at the Culture and Communication Commission, at the Assembly of the Republic
The fired information direction believes that the exit had political reasons and was motivated by the criticism of António José Teixeira to the government’s restructuring plan for RTP.
The recent resignation of the RTP information direction, led by António José Teixeira, is generating strong controversy and raise accusations of political motivations and direct government interference.
RTP internal sources have revealed to what the removed elements attribute to their exit to “political reasons.” This interpretation gains strength considering that António José Teixeira publicly spoken against Some government proposals about the future of public radio and television service. Still, the journalist will remain, for now, linked to the station.
The RTP administration, led by Nicolau Santos, had already expressed discontent with the performance of the information area, especially pointing out Weak RTP 3 audiences.
The most recent case – and pointed as a determinant for the decision – was the alleged Failure on informative coverage From the US attack to Iran last weekend. This episode would have precipitated the resignation and invitation, on the following Monday, Vítor Gonçalves to take on the information direction.
The controversy reached the political plane. The PCP and the Left Block presented in Parliament a question directed at the Minister of Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, demanding clarifications on the reasons for dismissal And about the absence of consultation with the Writing Council – a procedure that, although not illegal according to RTP’s official source, is being criticized by the Journalists Union and the Telecommunications Workers Union and audiovisual communication.
Left parties also expressed concern about the announced Deep restructuring of RTPfearing possible service mergers and weakening the public service. This reorganization has already led to the extinction of several directions, with the departure of 11 directors. Among the most sonrant names are Teresa Paixão, which leaves the direction of RTP 2 to give way to Gonçalo Madaíl, and Nuno Galopim, who will abandon the direction of Antena 1.
