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On 4 February, the Portuguese government presented its proposed law on the regime and principles of action for the development and protection of the arts and cinematographic and audiovisual activities, thus stating the intention to replace the legal framework set up by Decree-Law no. 350/93 of 7 October 1993. The proposed law aims to (article 4): - promote the production, distribution, exhibition, diffusion and editing of cinematographic and audiovisual works; - guarantee the copyrights of authors, artists, interpreters and performers of cinematographic and audiovisual works; - promote international...

The national film institutes of the 15 Member States of the European Union have made a common declaration on the importance of State aid for European films. This is the first time the film institutes have made a common statement. The national film institutes are publicly funded and were founded to support national and European film culture. In this common declaration the institutes express their concerns regarding the necessity for State aid for European films. The institutes are worried that the audio-visual sector in Europe will be left solely to the chances of free market forces. In the declaration,...

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Jorge Sampaio, has vetoed the new proposed Television Law due to its unconstitutional nature. On 17 June 2002, the President referred Decreto nº 3/IX, Segunda alteração à Lei nº 31-A/98, de 14 de Julho, alterada pela Lei nº 8/2002, de 11 de Fevereiro (Decree nº 3/IX, second amendment to the Act n. 31-A/98 of 14 July, previously amended by Act no. 8/2002 of 11 February) back to the Parliament for re-examination. This move is part of an on-going and highly controversial process related to the centre-right government's intention to reduce public service broadcasting....

On 23 May 2002, the Portuguese Parliament approved an amendment to the Lei de Televisão (Television Law nº 31-A/98 of 14 July) removing the power of the Conselho de Opinião (Advisory Council) of the Public Service Television Broadcaster to veto the government-appointed Administration of the company. Following the Council of Ministers' decision of 9 May 2002 to set up, in six months' time, a new public service broadcasting company with a single generalist channel, RTP's Advisory Council issued a binding statement on 16 May 2002 in which it reacted negatively to the new five-member top management...

The recently elected centre-right government, led by Prime Minister Durão Barroso, has clarified its intention to cut down on public broadcasting. The Programme of the XV Constitutional Government, approved by the Portuguese Parliament on 17 April 2002, states that Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP, S.A.) will be split into two companies. The Government holds that one will remain State-owned, keeping the present broadcasting licence and public service commitments; as yet it has not put forward any plans regarding the future of the other. Public service radio will also be restructured; of the four...