RTVE Staff to Protest as Internal Conflicts Over Political Programming Escalate
RTVE staff plan protests over management's reliance on biased external political programming.
Key Points
- • RTVE staff express profound dissatisfaction with management's programming decisions.
- • Concerns about ideological bias in external shows like 'Malas Lenguas' are prominent.
- • The Informative Council plans to revive 'Black Fridays' in protest.
- • Management defends external programming for competitive ratings.
Tensions at RTVE (Radio Televisión Española) have reached a boiling point as staff dissatisfaction grows over the management's reliance on external political programming. During a meeting on July 28, the Informative Council voiced serious concerns about ideological bias in shows such as 'Malas Lenguas' and 'Mañaneros 360', which they argue contravene the General Audiovisual Communication Law by blending opinion with news content. Despite the backlash, RTVE's leadership, including Maribel Sánchez Maroto and Jon Ariztimuño, announced that no changes would be made to programming priorities, citing a lack of internal resources to address the political content demands.
The leadership's justification hinges on maintaining audience ratings and competitiveness, as they emphasize the need to collaborate with top external talent. However, this has not quelled staff unrest; in response, the Council has reinstated 'Black Fridays' in September as a form of protest against perceived managerial failures and political pressures that undermine journalistic standards. The anticipated protests reflect a deep-seated discontent within RTVE, hinting at a turbulent path ahead as the organization navigates an increasingly complex political media landscape.