Commission of Inquiry or Impeachment of Press Freedom?

RTVE Defends Itself: Commission of Investigation or Impeachment of Press Freedom?

The Public Corporation Raises Its Voice at the Initiative of the Popular Party in the Senate, Citing European Regulations and Risks for Editorial Independence.

The Spanish Radio and Television Corporation (RTVE) has issued a forceful statement in response to the Popular Party's announcement to request an investigative commission in the Senate on the public broadcaster. RTVE highlights deep institutional respect for the Upper House, but focuses on European Regulation 2024/1083 on freedom of the media, which came into force last August 2025 and is mandatory for all countries in the European Union.

This regulation, in its article 4.2, clearly establishes that Member States, including their authorities and regulatory bodies, do not have the power to interfere or attempt to influence the editorial policies and decisions of media service providers. RTVE considers that this commission's request, focused on the current line of information, could contravene these community demands for independence for public media.

The Corporation perceives this initiative as a possible attempt to protect its professionals and warns about the deterrent effect it could have on the practice of journalism. It is argued that RTVE already has established control and regulation mechanisms, such as the Mixed Control Commission of RTVE and the CNMC. The replacement of these instruments with a parliamentary investigation into informative approaches could alter the nature of control, bringing it closer to a “political trial” or a “media court”, where editorial decisions are evaluated under criteria foreign to professional principles.

This situation occurs in a context of increasing pressure on RTVE. Just a few days before, the Union of Private Televisions (UTECA) tried, without success, to block the commercialization of the 2026 Soccer World Cup. RTVE denounces a scenario where partisan and economic interests are mixed, ignoring the current strength of public radio and television.

Recent audience data supports RTVE's management. La 1 has recorded exceptional figures, reaching a 12.2% in January and 12.3% in February 2026the best data in 14 years. The Corporation's efficiency is reflected in its latest annual accounts, with a reduction in 7.6% in operating expenses and a 18.7% in spending on programs. The accounts present a net profit of 55.6 million euroswithout accounting reservations, and without having been the subject of any judicial appeal by the Popular Party in 2024 or this year.

RTVE points out that the Popular Party resorts to issues that do not affect the current Presidency or that lack a real basis. Mentioned are the return of European Funds from the HAZ project in 2024, the investigation into Lotteries (a transfer between state companies in 2024 without loss of public money), and the debt due to the VAT conflict (an issue that began in 2015 and is unrelated to current operations). The Corporation interprets this as an attempt to “rescue closed files to generate confusion.”

Regarding the internalization of production, RTVE ensures compliance with the guiding percentages of the Framework Mandate. Recently, a historic agreement has been reached with the UGT, SI and USO unions for the internalization of production, a commitment that seeks to reinforce operational and technical independence and whose fruits will be seen before June 30 of this year.

The Corporation warns about the risks of the PP initiative, warning that in the current political debate positions are emerging that question the very existence of RTVE, threatening its role as an essential service for citizens. The question arises as to whether these initiatives respond to a genuine interest in improving public service or whether different criteria are applied in other territories with public radio and television networks. RTVE reaffirms its commitment to freedom of information and pluralism, defending the independence of public media as a fundamental institutional guarantee for the democratic quality of the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What European Regulation does RTVE mention in its defense?
  RTVE cites European Regulation 2024/1083 on freedom of the media.
• When did this European Regulation come into force?
  The Regulation came into force last August 2025.
• What does article 4.2 of said Regulation establish?
  It establishes that Member States may not interfere or attempt to influence the editorial policies and decisions of media service providers.
• What control mechanisms already exist in RTVE?
  RTVE has the Joint Control Commission of RTVE and the CNMC.
• What were the audience data for La 1 in January and February 2026?
  La 1 reached 12.2% in January and 12.3% in February 2026.
• What was RTVE's net profit in its latest annual accounts?
  The net profit was 55.6 million euros.
• What type of agreement has RTVE reached with the unions?
  A historic agreement for the internalization of production.
• When will the first fruits of the internalization agreement be seen?
  Before June 30 of this year.
• What risk does RTVE warn about the Popular Party's initiative?
  That could question the existence of RTVE and threaten its role as an essential service.
• Why is the independence of public media important according to RTVE?
  He considers it a first-rate institutional guarantee for the democratic quality of the country.

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