The extreme right seems to be gaining ground in Portugal, and from my viewpoint, the media seems to be (knowingly or not) helping them on their way.

A thread about how I see the role of the media in Portugal and the potential rise of the far-right. 1/16

For the 1st time since 1974 an extreme right party (chega) recently won a seat in parliament (2019). Last week Portugal also saw large protests against racism/police brutality, both which occur in Portugal. Many slogans and signs were imported from the US. 2/16

After covering the protests, one story got significant coverage: two signs (out of 1000s) reading: a good cop is a dead cop. The police and politicians expressed their indignation. And appeared to try and discredit the protesters and their aims. (see LINK1 below) 3/16

The media also focused on this narrative, overshadowing the protesters & their concerns. Organizers were forced into damage control: the media was less interested in their grievances. Intentional or not, the media managed to distract from the grievances of the protesters. 4/16

Why would this lead people to the extreme right? In Portugal, a largely held opinion is that the country is not racist (LINK2). Holding this view, reading the news, the takeaway is that protests against racism aren't legitimate, and even encourage violence against police. 5/16

These sentiments feed directly to the extreme right, where chega leader Ventura has already given a speech linking these two signs with the anti-racism movement (both signs were held by white men, a fact not mentioned - See LINK3). It has been viewed over 100k times. 6/16

Actually, the same signs (good cop=dead cop) are used in US protests. But unlike Portugal, you might never know this from the US media. Presumably the US media realizes the signs (1) are not representative/don't add to debate (2) are often planted by extremists. (LINK4) 7/16

Why is the Portuguese media publishing stories which distract from/undermine the original motives underlying the protests? I suspect it is because many in the media also support the narrative of Portugal being a non-racist country. 8/16

Part of this likely stems from the widespread belief in a myth that Portuguese colonialism was 'gentler' than others, and that Portuguese people are naturally more tolerant - this blatant lie heralds directly from propaganda during the Salazar dictatorship. (LINK5) 9/16

The media may not want to 'stir up the pot' by letting whites and blacks know that there are legitimate grievances which could encourage more awareness and hence more protests. Yet by doing so, the pot is left to simmer with the lid on tight. 10/16

A clear possible outcome is that this pot will explode with the frustrations of so many who see no change and who are ignored and de-legitimized. 11/16

Depending on how the media reacts to these events, could be the difference between progress in listening to and reporting on these grievances (like in the US now)... 12/16

...or a repeat of what we just saw, which may drive more Portuguese into the hands of the extreme right, and leave the protesters frustrated all over again. 13/16

If the media doesn't change their strategy, there is a real danger that tensions continue to rise, leading to a pattern of polarization between the increasingly frustrated left and the increasingly popular extreme right. 14/16

What to do? Countries in Europe are reckoning with their colonial past, and there are calls for teaching true history (rather than just the parts that make a country look good). This is critical to changing people's perspectives even on modern issues. 15/16

There is also the issue of a lack of representation of afro-descendants in the media in Portugal. This is absolutely critical, but of course, both measures go hand in hand. 16/16

LINKS:

LINK1: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/politica/1504914/bloco-defende-que-manifestacoes-antirracismo-foram-ordeiras
LINK2: https://24.sapo.pt/atualidade/artigos/rui-rio-nao-ha-racismo-na-sociedade-portuguesa

LINK3: https://tvi24.iol.pt/videos/sociedade/policia-bom-e-policia-morto-sindicato-da-psp-apresenta-queixa-devido-a-cartazes/5ede2e6d0cf2a58834214216
LINK4: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/escalation-in-rhetoric-and-propaganda-by-extremist-groups-exploiting-protests-nypd/2450292/
LINK5: https://www.politico.eu/article/portugal-slave-trade-confronts-its-past/