A government-backed program to offer free digital newspaper subscriptions to 15- to 18-year-olds is collapsing, with just over 4,400 sign-ups out of more than 418,000 eligible teenagers. Despite providing up to 400,000 two-year subscriptions at no cost, the initiative has failed to spark interest among a generation born into the digital age.
Expresso leads the uptake with 1,592 subscriptions, followed by Observador (1,066) and Público (911). Most other outlets recorded fewer than 100. Collectively, participating publications gained little financial benefit, with revenues estimated at under €500 per month.
Officials cite limited promotion and election-related restrictions on government campaigns as factors, but critics argue the results underscore young people’s deep disengagement from traditional media. With less than 1.1% of the target group enrolled, the program risks becoming a case study in policy failure and a stark warning for Portugal’s struggling press sector.
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