The ruling increases, from 25 to 30 percent, the share of Portuguese music to be transmitted on broadcasting services.
“After more than 10 years, it is time to update the minimum share of Portuguese music on national radio stations, thus fulfilling an objective that belongs to everyone: the promotion of music and the Portuguese language”, reads the ordinance published and which takes effect for one year.
The increase from 25 percent to 30 percent of the Portuguese music quota on radio stations was announced by the Minister of Culture, Graça Fonseca, within the scope of the response measures to the pandemic, with the objective of "increasing the dissemination of Portuguese music" and "its appreciation for the benefit of authors, artists and producers".
The day after the announcement, the Portuguese Broadcasting Association (APR) and the Christian Inspired Radio Association (ARIC) spoke out against the measure, claiming its ineffectiveness, lack of dialogue, alerting international music platforms and criticising the lack of government support for the media, and radio in particular.
The Associação Fonografica Portuguesa (AFP) and the Association for the Management and Distribution of Rights (Audiogest) manifested themselves in the opposite direction, with satisfaction. They consider the move “a positive and important step for the music sector”.
“The growing interest of Portuguese in the music of national artists and authors is evident, so it makes sense, especially at a time of deep crisis [...], for the radio to intensify the use of 'our' music. We can only regret that the radio operators did not do it voluntarily”, they added.
Days later, the groups Renascença and Media Capital Rádios sent an open letter to the Minister of Culture, Graça Fonseca, considering the increase to 30 percent an "ineffective, unfair" measure, which does not solve the artists' problems.
This week, more than 450 Portuguese musicians and authors signed a petition in which they appealed to the public to listen to their music on the radio, welcoming the increase in the share of Portuguese music on the radio.
"We can only regret that the radio operators did not do it voluntarily"
If it was actually popular there would be a demand for it, radio stations fill there playlists according to demand. There clearly isn't a demand for it.
By Scott from Algarve on 05 Feb 2021, 14:09
Fortunately there is Spotify and digital radio. Só the Orwell state cannot dictate your listening choices or online education options. Perhaps these ministers should move to North Korea....
By Joe Walker from Lisbon on 10 Feb 2021, 19:05