Today, on World Journalism Day, I pay tribute to all media professionals in the Azores, who every day undertake the noble and increasingly crucial mission of reporting with accuracy, independence, and truth.

Journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy and citizenship. In the Azores, as elsewhere in the world, journalists give voice to communities, ensure public scrutiny, and help preserve our collective memory.

On this day, we also remember, with respect and sorrow, all journalists who have lost their lives or been injured in the course of their work. Their dedication, even in the face of risks and threats, deserves our deepest gratitude.

The Government of the Azores recognizes the challenges facing the sector. It reaffirms its commitment to promoting journalism in the region, investing in the sustainability of the media, protecting pluralism, and adapting to new digital realities.

We have in place the “Plan for the Azorean Media,” which is based on four areas of intervention, ranging from a system of incentives for the training of professionals in the sector to the purchase of institutional advertising and the distribution of publications in schools and IPSS (Private Social Solidarity Institutions). On the table for this year is around two million euros in support for the regional private sector, in addition to incentives for RTP/Açores, a company rightly recognized this year on Region Day for its fundamental role in deepening our autonomy.

I recall and value several recent distinctions awarded to professionals in the sector on the national stage, proof that the sea is not always an insurmountable barrier.

To the companies in the sector and to all Azorean journalists working on our islands, I would like to express my appreciation for your invaluable contributions to building a more informed, fair, and democratic society.

Paulo Estêvão

Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities