April 25, 2022

After 47 years of dictatorship, in 1974, Portugal had the “Revolution of the Carnations”, witch brought freedom of speech and free press.

In 1932 António de Oliveira Salazar established a corporative dictatorship—the so-called Estado Novo (New State)—that lasted until 1974, four years after Salazar’s death. During the dictatorship, democratic-like institutions existed but were merely a façade, stacked with supporters of Salazar; political freedoms were suppressed, sometimes ruthlessly. Since the Revolution of the Carnations on April 25, 1974, Portugal has had a democratic republic.

On the 48th anniversary of this revolution, whose symbol is a carnation, we are witnessing the disappearance of several newspapers and media, which are essential for the maintenance of democracy in Portugal.