The Conglomerate

Media conglomeration in Portugal is somewhat relevant but still is present to this day.  To start off, the government controls most of the advertising and public tv through unilateral control in RTP.  They control alsmost all aspects of RTP (vertical integration).  The national media is under one name, LUSA, which predominately is broadcasted through RTP1 and RTP2.  Agencia Ecclesia, contorls most of the domestic news and covers news in local outlets.  The local news media are divided amongst several companies similar to the big six conglomerates in the United States but only with different names.  Here are some of the companies that own the media in Portugal and a link to one of the outlets they own. (Translation might be required..it was for me)



The most important, I think, is Controlinveste.  I think its the most important because its presence is felt in all mediums of news media, print, online, magazine, and TV.  This "highlights" of this comapany would be Journal de Noticias, 24 Hoas, O Jogo, TSF (radio), Sport TV, and other specialized newspapers and magazines.  Journal de Noticias

 

Next would be COFINA, which focuses mainly on print.  They control most of the daily magazines, comparable to the Long Beach Press Telegram, and many of the free newspapers.  Some examples would be Correio da Manha, Jornal de Negocios and Record.  Some of the free newspapers would be Destak and Meia-Hora.  Meia-Hora



Media Capital is very influential in the audiovisual department.  Leads the advertising sector in TVI radio stations Radio Comercial, Radio Clube Portugues, Cidade FM.  Since then their shift has been toward the music industry.  They are known for some production and distribution.  Cidade FM

There is also ZON Multimedia,they are a major player in the production and distribution of multimedia in Portugal.  They are the major leader in cinematic and tellecommunications industries as well.  Zon Multimedia controls TV Cabo and Zon as well.  Zon also is a major player in the Internet industry as well.  ZON Mulitmedia



Finally there is Impresa, which was formely owned by a government official.  This used to be owned by Fransisco Balsemao.  It owns Expresso, Visao, Journal de Letras, Exame, Telenovelas, Coras, and specialized magazines.  A majority of this company also consists of commercial channels mainly, SIC and SIC Noticias.  Visao

The effects that the conglomerates have in Portugal are difficult to notice because the outlets that are accessible give out a lot of information and most articles seem to be fair in point of view.  The only time its easy to notice the effects is when the article or broadcast is taking aim at a political party or issue.  When that happens you can tell which medium is being lobbied by that political party.  The effect it has on the market is actually a little bit greater.

The market is greatly effected by the "conglomerates" because not all of them dominate all mediums of the market.  Some companies specialize in one department while others dominate the remainder of the mediums.  Yes, some do spill over into the other but it creates a balance and more than one point of view.

In my opinion, the conglomerates in the county are a good thing because it sort of organizes everything.  You do have dominant control is some areas but not all, which creates competition in the ones that are not completely dominated.  I believe that it provides its people with a variety of information and a great selection to choose from.