ANC regulates broadcasting in part. Radio and television have two sides:
- The technical side: the frequencies that stations transmit on, and the technical standards of the signal. This is ANC's role, under Decree-Law No. 15/2012.
- The content side: news, programmes and the work of journalists. This is not ANC's role. Media content is covered by Law No. 5/2014 on Social Communication and the Press Council (Conselho de Imprensa).
What ANC does
- Gives frequency licences to radio (sound) and television stations. Stations apply with the broadcasting application forms (BC and BT).
- Plans the broadcasting bands so that stations do not interfere with each other or with other services.
- Sets technical standards for digital TV. ANC manages the frequencies for digital terrestrial television and sets the standards that broadcasters must use, to help the move from analogue to digital TV.
- Works with the Press Council. In January 2025 ANC and the Press Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate when ANC gives frequency licences to radio and television media.
