The Government of the Azores opens Friday, October 13, the application period for the new support system for the private media, Promédia 2020, announced the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs.

"With the publication of the order regulating Promédia 2020 in the Official Journal, the private media will have the conditions to apply for the support measures provided for in the Regional Legislative Decree that was recently approved by the Azorean Parliament," said Berto Messias, who oversees the allocation of support to the private media. 

"From Friday, October 13, the regional private media will have 20 days to apply for support regarding the year 2017," the government official said, adding that, "during the month of November, the regional private media may submit their projects for the year 2018."

Promédia 2020 comprises support for digital development and new technologies, issue of printed publications, access to information for people with special needs, professional training of journalists, operating expenses, and development of media initiatives that contribute to the training of agents in the sector and the external promotion of the Region.

"Promédia 2020 maintains all the support granted under the previous programme and introduces new support measures. It continues to bear in mind the importance of an independent and impartial private media that provides an important public service, a fundamental factor for the improvement of our democracy,” stressed Berto Messias.