"The solutions must be independent, impartial solutions, without political or economic-financial contamination, consensual, adopted by parliament consensually and cannot be the decision of a government," de Sousa said.

For the president, no solution should involve any form of censorship, but using measures, such as those in other countries such as incentives for young people and schools to read newspapers, through the financing of subscriptions, or tax breaks.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa promised to return to the subject after the legislative elections.

The president cited the slump in newspaper sales and the fact that television channels are losing audiences, with the resulting economic and financial problems.

"Without means it is very difficult to guarantee sustainability and there is no strong democracy if there is not a strong, dynamic media in the long term, and that cannot be achieved thinking [only] about survival," he said.

The president spoke on being questioned about the expected sale to Cofina of its rival the Media Capital group, which owns the broadcaster TVI. He declined to comment directly, saying that it was incumbent on institutions such as the media regulator to pronounce.

Media Capital has interests in television broadcasting and production, radio, digital outlets, music and entertainment.

In May, the president had already called on policymakers to draft "an emergency programme" to respond to the crisis in the sector, citing fiscal measures, among others, that industry associations have repeatedly proposed.

"Every year, at the time of the debate on the state budget, there are proposals in particular in tax matters, but not only that, which are similar to best practice in other … countries in the world, long-established democracies,” he said. “And with this appeal is a call to attention for legislators to focus on the problem."