The news I read a few weeks ago prompted me to address this issue: ETB3’s decision not to extend Ene Kantak’s children’s program at ETB3 surprised me and I still do not understand it, being an orderly and appropriate program.
I see very little television in recent years, and I am not an expert in any case. But that does not mean that I am not worried or angry about the evolution of public television in Basque, and especially about the ETB1 network, and about the current situation.
We met other ETB1, not so much in the 1980s and 1990s, in the early years of Basque television. Television was betting on the Basque language, investing in Basque content, offering its own productions or translating foreign films to the Basque language.
For example, the Basque series produced in Lazkao (Bi eta Bat, Jaun ta Jab, 64, My family and other beasts, Goenkale, Bentaberri..), humor programs (Txiskola, Txoko Latex, Zerbitzua, Hau da A.U., Wazemande…),
The initial objective of ETB was to contribute to the normalization of the Basque country. It seems to me recently that the opposite has been the case.
Where was that? What happened along the way? How is it possible that after successfully overcoming the first most difficult years, there will be a further decline? I do not think this is a matter of opinion, because the data are very clear (and serious). The most illustrative example is that of films in Basque: between 1983 and 1986, ETB broadcast all films in Basque. Since then the situation has changed enormously. In fact, if you look at the data from December 2023 and January 2024, only one film was released in Basque and 86 in Spanish. And the data from May to September 2022 is even worse: 130 films were broadcast in Spanish and none in Basque. The “Night of…” programme has been on television for 29 years, where hundreds of films have been broadcast. All in Spanish. This is as significant as it is sad. And it is not a widespread trend: in Galicia, TVG broadcasts all films in Galician (100%) (with the PP in command) and in Catalonia, TV3 also offers all films in Catalan.
The initial objective of ETB was to contribute to the normalization of the Basque country. It seems to me that the opposite has happened recently:
To justify the decline in the supply of Basque content, hearing fees have been used as an excuse. Arguing that the ETB1 quota is low. But I don’t know what the egg or hen is before… Because, perhaps (surely), the reduction in the quality of ETB1 content has brought a low audience share and not the other way around.
And it is not just a matter of language, but also of national or cultural references. Today, the content of ETB is much more present in the furthest part of the Spanish state than in the nearest part of the Northern Basque Country.
Perhaps the decline of ETB1 is a simple reflection of the evolution of Basque society? A simple consequence of the weariness, passivity that we have lately with the Basque Country? And I have more questions to ask: should audiences guide the wager on public television? Should ETB's actual wager compete with ETB2 with T5 or A3? To what extent is the subordination of a public service to a party (interests) appropriate (and ethical)?
And as for those responsible, we cannot “throw away”, because ETB’s decisions and leadership have been in the hands of the political parties that have ruled the CAV over the past four decades.
It is time to put an end to this sad ETB and to begin to turn the ETB situation around, so that ETB’s real commitment is to create a decent and sound television for all Basques and Basques. Because in Spanish there are already hundreds of other chains.
Aitor Irigoien Odriozola
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
Conservative mentalities are afraid of the term planning, linking with progressive and even communist political currents, as the new authoritarianisms do today (Milei, Meono, Orban, Aznar, among others). However, the idea of planning is still in good health, at least formally... [+]
The issue of cohesion is today the first responsibility of many governments, public institutions and non-governmental organisations. Indeed, societies with low inequalities more easily generate conditions for economic, social and cultural development, better governance... [+]
Although significant progress has been made in recent decades in some areas and areas of the Euskaldunization process, in public administrations the Basque Country faces serious obstacles and threats. In addition to the offensive against the Basque people that is taking place in... [+]
The Navarra Federation of Municipalities and Councils was born with the objective of "protecting and promoting their shared interests and local autonomy". A Communication Officer will soon be selected who will have to master Spanish and Basque.
For the PSN-PSOE rejects it... [+]
End of course. The professor in his solitude. It prints the rhythm of the reflection that noise does in the traction of the train: Has the work done this year been worthwhile? Exhausted, thoughtful, remember his friend's words: “Txo, the teachers have no right to complain to... [+]
Summer comes and with it the popular festivals of towns, neighborhoods and cities. Festivities have always been the refuge of social and political demands, neighborhood relations and popular euphoria. They take our streets and for a few days they are an example of... [+]
The Basque Government has just been set up and the Minister for Education will be Begoña Pedrosa. Being a vice-counselor in the previous legislature and being one of the founders of the new Education Law passed last December, we are allowed to ask some... [+]
The last elections have sent us a clear message. We Europeans do not want wars. Ukraine has to end and the politicians have to take steps in this direction as soon as possible. In France and Germany, the far-right has been loosely imposed and the reason is in the war in Ukraine:... [+]
The Spanish state would become the dystopian stage of Tejerazo, in 1981. There, the political leaders confined to Congress were "invited" to approve a tacit agreement in which the status quo linked to the monarchic system, the bipartisan political system (establishment of closed... [+]
The new government formation has left many unanswered questions, but it is clear that once again we will have to be firm in betting on the Basque Public School. We were told that, although the same party will govern, we would have new faces, but that has not been entirely true... [+]
We are parents of Euskal Herria, daughters and sons; they are called Maddi, Izei, Dani, Alaitz, Aida or BEÑAT, but they may be Hatem Salem, Awad Muhammad 14 years old, Zakaria Magdy 6 years old or Nour Ahmed 7 years old. They were all killed by Israel in Gaza.
We can't imagine... [+]
After the post-election negotiation phase, PNV and PSE-EE have laid the groundwork for a government agreement between the two to “advance welfare, progress, self-government and transformation of the global Euskadi”. An 11-page document details the commitments and activities... [+]