The broadcasting of the Goya on RTVE, helmed by Inés Hernand, has been defined by humor and entertainment. The broadcaster is also responsible for Spain’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.
The President of RTVE, Elena Sanchez, has defended the song to represent Spain in the next Eurovision Song Contest, ‘Debt’. She drew comparisons to the controversy surrounding the lyrics of the 80s song by Carlos Tena and Las Vulpes, ‘Me gusta ser una zorra’.
Sanchez recounts the story of Carlos Tena, one of the country’s top music journalists 40 years ago, who faced backlash for broadcasting The Vulpes on La 1, leading to his resignation and a legal complaint from the State Attorney General’s Office.
“Radiotelevisión Española and I are committed to equality between men and women and against violence against them,” Sanchez declared. She was countering criticism by PP deputy Jaime Miguel de los Santos, who accused the government of promoting the song ‘Zorra’ as a feminist anthem.
According to de los Santos, the word ‘bitch’, frequently used in sentences for sexist violence, can’t be seen as empowering. Sanchez, however, argued that the song by Nebulossa, the finalist of the Benidorm Fest and winner of the final, doesn’t violate the Eurovision Song Contest rules.
Amid the controversy, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion delegate at RTVE, Montserrat Boix, resigned. Sanchez expressed respect for Boix’s decision and appreciated her work throughout the year.
Sanchez also addressed issues of creative freedom, musical expression, and the festive context of the contest. She pointed out that the European Broadcasting Union, the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, deemed the song eligible for participation.
Additionally, Sanchez faced criticism from PP senator José Ángel Alonso regarding the Goya awards broadcast on RTVE Play platform by Inés Hernand. Alonso accused Hernand of unprofessional behavior and ideological bias.
Sanchez offered a positive evaluation of the broadcast, highlighting that it had the best ratings in recent years with over a million viewers. She emphasized that the program was meant to entertain and complement the La 1 broadcast on TVE.
Sanchez addressed a recurring joke by the comedian and presenter who repeatedly used the phrase ‘you are an icon’. She argued that the broadcast should be evaluated based on entertainment value rather than informational content.
Despite this, Sanchez acknowledged that the light-hearted tone of the broadcast was questionable for some viewers. She took responsibility for any potential issues as the president of the corporation.
YEARLY MANAGEMENT REVIEW
In the past year, Sanchez noted several achievements. These include political agreements, advancements in equality, increased viewership for La 1, and the consolidation of News News as a second option.
She also highlighted the growth of the RTVE Play platform, investment in cinema, RTVE’s position as a sports reference, a contract with Telefónica for access to RTVE territorial information, and the reinstatement of the 35-hour workweek.
In terms of managing European Funds, Sanchez stressed that RTVE is acting responsibly, transparently, and efficiently. She explained that anti-fraud measures are a crucial part of this process and that RTVE has developed a prevention plan to ensure proper use and management of aid and subsidies received from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
