Freedom of the Press 2007: Portugal

“The monitoring of private communications and bank data from journalists is unprecedented and represents a gross violation of journalists’ rights to source confidentiality and professional secrecy, which are protected under both the Portuguese Constitution and international law”.

Powerful Angolan shareholders own stakes in several leading Portuguese publications. Aware of their economic fragility, authorities in Lisbon are wary of upsetting their powerful economic partner, local journalists say.

IPI called the attack on AFP photojournalist Patricia Melo “a chilling reminder of the dangers journalists face, even in Western democracy.”