Portugal, os media e o "índice de integridade pública" O Índice de Integridade Pública coloca o nosso país num honroso 2º lugar, entre 25 países de vários continentes analisados pelo "Center of Public Integrity - Investigative Journalism in the Public Interest". O Contrafactos e Argumentos, que dá notícia do facto, interroga: "Portugal positivo?". Não pude analisar toda a vasta e interessante informação disponibilizada sobre o nosso país, com base no contributo do jornalista e professor Rui Araújo. Considerando, porém, apenas o item "Civil Society, Public Information & Media", e em especial a subcategoria "Liberdade dos media", pareceu-me que algumas respostas assentam em pressupostos que podem ser questionáveis. Assim, por exemplo, se eu digo que, no ano passado, nenhum jornalista foi maltratado, morto ou preso por investigar assuntos relacionados com corrupção, terei de responder a uma outra questão prévia, para dar sentido e contexto às respostas: houve jornalistas a investigar assuntos de corrupção? Quantos? Em que meios e com que recursos e condições? Durante quanto tempo? Em todo o caso, este tipo de questões não invalida o importante trabalho feito e apresentado. Deixo aqui um comentário/resposta à pergunta: "In practice, the government does not encourage self-censorship of corruption-related stories":

"Although the independence of the media is guaranteed by the Constitution and special regulatory law, in practice, members of the government can put pressure on certain journalists or directors of newspapers to delay the exposure of a corruption-related story. The degree of promiscuity between the political sphere and the media is considerable. Newspapers and television channels recruit the services of a series of leading political figures on a regular basis as political commentators. On the other hand, certain well-known journalists have entered politics as MPs or PR advisers to Ministers and Secretaries of State. At the local level, the degree of independence of the media is null. Most newspapers survive on public aid or advertisements commissioned by the mayor or the local government authority. Having said this, the capacity of members of government to actually encourage or impose self-censorship of corruption-related stories is limited, since the exposure of corruption enters the realm of political struggle. The moralization of political/public life is also about politics. Besides, the exposure of corruption affairs sells tabloids. Hence, there is mass media competition for this type of information. A well-connected politician in media circles may be able to delay exposure, but it is almost impossible for him or her to mute or divert the media's intention and interest in covering the story."