ERC/2026/238 (CONTJOR) — Report against RTP Açores for alleged breach of the duty of informative accuracy, namely regarding the hearing of parties with relevant interests

ERC (Portugal) · 2026-08-26 · PT · verified record

Themes: Media & broadcasting · Online platforms

Decision ERC/2026/238 (CONTJOR) Report against RTP Açores for alleged breach of the duty of informative accuracy, namely regarding the hearing of parties with relevant interests Lisbon 26 August 2026 1 500.10.01/2026/376 EDOC/2026/5424 Regulatory Board of the Regulatory Entity for the Media Decision ERC/2026/238 (CONTJOR) Subject: Report against RTP Açores for alleged breach of the duty of informative accuracy, namely regarding the hearing of parties with relevant interests I. Report 1. A report was received by the Regulatory Entity for the Media (hereinafter, ERC), on 16 June 2026, against RTP Açores, alleging breach of the duty of informative accuracy, namely of the right of reply, in the news item “CM Horta: PS councillors complain of lack of responses”, broadcast on “Telejornal Açores”, and made available on RTP Açores' website1, on 15 June 2026. 2. The Reporter argues that the item is the “reproduction of an allegation by a political actor (the opposition councillors) against another actor clearly identifiable and targeted — the municipal executive and, specifically, the majority that leads Horta Municipal Council — to whom an omissive and blameworthy conduct is attributed (the refusal or absence of provision of information)”. 3. He alleges that “there is no hearing of the targeted party” in the news item, “nor any mention of an attempt, frustrated or otherwise, to obtain its position”, considering that “the targeted party was not given the possibility to contradict, contextualise or clarify the allegation directed at it”. This conflicts with subparagraph e) of paragraph 1 of article 14 of the Journalists' Statute, by omission of a hearing of the targeted party, and, thus, undermines informative accuracy, a duty provided for in subparagraph a), paragraph 1 of the same article.…