The European Broadcasting Union has expressed concern over a newly established committee of inquiry into Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, warning of potential risks to editorial independence.
A new committee under scrutiny
The committee, approved by the Spanish Senate and set up in late April, is expected to examine RTVE’s editorial practices and governance. While the EBU acknowledged the importance of oversight, it stressed that RTVE is already subject to existing transparency and accountability mechanisms aligned with European standards.
Concerns over editorial independence
In its statement, the EBU warned that such initiatives could carry risks if not clearly defined:
- Editorial decisions may be assessed using criteria outside professional standards
- The purpose and outcomes of the inquiry remain unclear
- There is a risk of disproportionate political influence
The organisation emphasised that RTVE’s independence is essential within the European public media landscape, particularly at a time when misinformation and disinformation are increasing. It also warned that any politicisation of public broadcasters would run counter to principles outlined in the European Media Freedom Act.
The EBU confirmed it will continue to monitor developments in Spain and remains open to dialogue to ensure alignment with European legislation and public service media standards.
Spain’s Eurovision journey
Spain debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with Conchita Bautista’s “Estando Contigo”. The country earned its first win in 1968 with Massiel’s “La La La”, and won again in 1969 with Salome’s “Vivo Cantando” in an infamous four-way tie. Although they have yet to win again, Spain earned several 2nd place finishes, most famously with Mocedades’ “Eres tu” in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s “Vuelve conmigo” in 1996.
In 2025, Spain selected Melody. As part of the Big 5, she did not need to qualify for the Grand Final from the semi-finals. At the close of voting, her song “Esa Diva” finished 24th, with a total of 37 points. Of these, 27 points came from the jury, whilst 10 came from the televote.
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News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: EBU
Samantha