Lack of independence and pluralism at Radio Televisión Española (RTVE)

11.11.2016

Question for written answer E-008515-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Tania González Peñas (GUE/NGL) , Lola Sánchez Caldentey (GUE/NGL) , Estefanía Torres Martínez (GUE/NGL) , Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE) , Marina Albiol Guzmán (GUE/NGL) , Clara Eugenia Aguilera García (S&D) , Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL)

There is a widespread view repeatedly expressed by various professional groups, including the Advisory Councils at Spain’s radio and television stations RNE and TVE respectively, that RTVE, Spain’s state radio and television company, does not act independently of government interests when it comes to news programming, nor does it observe the principle of fostering pluralism in state-owned media.

The existence of an independent media and the fostering of pluralism feature among the EU’s fundamental democratic values. Respect for these values should not just be regulated by a strict adherence to legislation but should also be based on the promotion of these democratic principles and putting them into practice.

EU legislation, and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive in particular, stipulates that Member States are required to promote and contribute to fostering pluralism in the media.

1. Does the Commission believe that the state-owned radio and television service in Spain (RTVE) is infringing the criteria of independence and pluralism required under the EU’s legal framework?2. What measures should, in the Commission’s opinion, be adopted to stop this continuing to happen and what action can it take in this regard?