Madeira Journalists Face Pressures And Restrictions Amidst Fire Coverage

Union Denounces Pressures and Misinformation in Fire Reporting

The Madeira delegation of the Journalists' Union has raised concerns over what it describes as undue pressures and restrictions on journalists covering the ongoing wildfires in the region. In a statement released on Thursday, the union highlighted instances where journalists faced significant challenges, including pressures to deny accurate reports and restricted access to critical areas.

Government Denial and Confirmation of European Aid Sparks Controversy

A recent incident involving the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism underscores the issues raised by the union. After the Diário de Notícias da Madeira reported that two Canadair firefighting planes were en route to assist with the fires, regional government sources swiftly denied the news. However, just two hours later, Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Regional Government, confirmed the arrival of the planes, raising questions about the motivations behind the initial denial.

Journalists Barred from Key Fire Sites

The union also cited incidents where journalists were prevented from accessing areas severely affected by the fires. On Saturday, journalists were initially barred from entering Curral das Freiras, a situation only resolved after multiple interventions. Similar issues occurred on Sunday in Fajã dos Cardos, where journalists from RTP Madeira and CNN/TVI were ordered to leave the area by police, despite being on private property and conducting interviews with residents.

Union and Political Party Call for Press Freedom

In response to these events, the Journalists' Union has called for the protection of press freedom, emphasizing that journalists must be allowed to report without interference. The union's president, Filipe Gonçalves, condemned the "dual standards" in access control, noting that while a local politician was allowed to campaign freely in restricted areas, journalists were blocked from performing their duties.

PAN Party Expresses Solidarity and Concern

The People-Animals-Nature (PAN) party in Madeira echoed the union's concerns, expressing solidarity with the journalists and stressing the importance of their role in keeping the public informed. PAN’s Mónica Freitas emphasized the necessity of reliable journalism, especially in an era of widespread misinformation, and criticized the preferential treatment given to politicians over journalists in accessing fire-stricken areas.