Radio regulation in Portugal: a contribution to the study of a decision making process

Abstract

Between 1987 and 1988 were approved two radio laws in Portugal, reflecting two different political atmospheres: law no. 8/87, a left-wing supported law, and law no. 87/88 supported by the right-wing in the parliament. Both laws were concerned with privatization and liberalization of radio. The first law (8/87) was concerned with regulation aspects such as the restriction of property to prevent concentration. The second law (87/88) ended the process of liberalization of the radio. The purpose of this paper is to study the decision-making processes and the key players involved in bringing these two laws about. It pays special attention to the political system and the parliamentary debates of that period. Its main goal is to identify political and external actors (radio groups, lobby groups, etc.), main themes and arguments, and the negotiation strategies that resulted in the acceptance of the proposals.