Footage of Joana's trial, Casa Pia's trial, and FP-25's trial were documented.
In a recent development, the ongoing trial of former Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates is making headlines, not just for the high-profile nature of the case, but also for the ongoing debate about the use of camera coverage in court proceedings.
While it has been established that **court trials have been broadcast live in Portugal** in the past, as evidenced by a live streaming of court proceedings on 9 June 2025 in Court No. 37, the specific legal rules or circumstances governing when live broadcasting is allowed remain unclear.
The current trial, presided over by Judge Susana Seca, has seen a prohibition on the collection of images and sound from the hearing room. This decision, however, is not permanent and can be overruled with the judge's authorization.
Judge Seca's caution is a reflection of the delicate balance that must be struck between public access and the need to ensure fair trial rights and protect the privacy of participants. This balance is particularly important in light of Portugal's membership in the Council of Europe and its adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights since 1978.
The presence of cameras in trials is not a given and depends on the judge's authorization. In fact, the SIC archive, a collection of past trials with camera coverage, provides examples of trials where camera coverage was permitted, such as the historic trial of the FP-25, the case of the "banker of the people," the case of Joana, and the Casa Pia process.
In a previous trial, Judge Ivo Rosa allowed Operation Marquis to be broadcast live during a previous stage. However, the current trial, which will see José Socrates speak in court during the second session on Tuesday, will not have images of the hearing room unless the judge accepts the lawyer's request to broadcast the trial live.
For detailed and authoritative information, consulting Portuguese legal texts or official judiciary guidelines would be necessary to fully understand the legal framework surrounding live broadcasts of court trials in Portugal. It is clear, however, that the balance between public access and fair trial rights and privacy is a critical consideration in these matters.
The balance between public access and ensuring fair trial rights, as well as protecting the privacy of participants, is a critical consideration in Portugal's policy-and-legislation around the live broadcasting of court trials, particularly in light of the country's membership in the Council of Europe and its adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights.
As shown by the presence of the SIC archive, a collection of past trials with camera coverage, the use of camera coverage in court trials is subject to the judge's authorization and is not a given, despite the past instances of live streaming.
