Monday, September 10, 2012

Portugal examines privatizing broadcaster



For news on the economic turmoil that has gripped their country, many people in Portugal tune in to RTP, the public television and radio broadcaster. Now it looks like RTP could itself become a victim of the crisis. 
Seeking to plug the gaping holes in its finances, the Portuguese government last month floated the idea of shutting down or privatizing most of RTP, which runs two of the country’s four main television channels. The proposal rattled the European broadcasting sector, where many people consider public TV and radio companies an essential feature of the media landscape.
 Whether the proposal will be adopted remains unclear. It is only one of several ideas that are being discussed to cut the cost of funding RTP; other options would be less radical. But opposition to privatization has been swift and loud, inside and outside Portugal
Analysts say it is unclear when the situation will be resolved. A new RTP board is set to take over this week. Amid the uncertainty over the government’s plans, commercial rivals of RTP, which have long complained that the public broadcaster does too much, have proposed their own alternatives, under which they would take over some public service functions.

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