Macau-based radio/TV broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau recently signed a cooperation protocol with China Radio International (CRI), allowing TDM to broadcast four programs in Portuguese via the Chinese state broadcaster’s web site and Internet radio.
With broadcasts directed to Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde and other Portuguese-speaking (lusophone) countries, the broadcaster endeavors to bring Macau culture to those nations.
The cooperation, which corresponds to TDM’s objective of strengthening its cultural reach to lusophone countries, came after a visit by TDM officials to Beijing last year. In addition to the above-mentioned countries, the CRI platform also provides access to the Portuguese-speaking audience in China.
According to Francisco Pinto, news and program controller for TDM Macau, Macau’s freedom of expression is protected by the basic law, and that the radio’s editorial freedom and authority will not be sacrificed. He also pointed out that CRI would not have chosen the programs if it thought the content was inappropriate.
The cooperation, noted TDM, may soon be extended to the broadcasting of some CRI programs on the TDM platform, possibly a program to teach Mandarin (or Putonghua) to Portuguese speakers.
