The Workers' Committee of Portuguese news agency Lusa has repudiated statements by Chega lawmaker Pedro Frazão after he threatened to close the news agency.
Frazão, who serves as vice-president of Chega's national board, accused Lusa journalists in a social media video of whitewashing terrorist activities. He called the reporters scribblers and described their professional work as a shame for the country, before threatening to persecute journalists and shut down the agency if Chega comes to power.
In response, the Lusa Workers' Committee sent a message to Assembly of the Republic President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, urging the parliamentary speaker to take a stance on what the committee termed a particularly serious threat from an elected lawmaker.
Appeal to parliament and editorial independence
The committee declared that Lusa staff would not be intimidated and vowed to defend the independence of the agency's professionals fearlessly. It stressed that the news service operates under strict principles of professional ethics, seriousness, and rigor.
Workers emphasized that journalists and professionals at Agência Lusa have never been, are not, and will never be obedient to political parties, religious groups, economic interests, sports clubs, or any political ideology. Contacted regarding the lawmaker's remarks, Lusa's Information Directorate declined to comment on the matter.
Role of Lusa and previous legal disputes
Agência Lusa is Portugal's national public news agency, providing coverage across the country, while Chega is a right-wing political party represented in the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon.
The threat against the national news outlet follows previous legal disputes involving the Chega lawmaker. Politician Nuno Melo previously initiated legal proceedings against Chega leader André Ventura and Pedro Frazão over statements concerning the purchase of military frigates.
Frazão was also previously ordered by a court to pay 4,000 euros in a defamation case. In a separate defamation proceeding against the lawmaker, sentencing was postponed until July 15.
