Not première streaming versions in Basque, the new EITB strategy
- The promoters of Netflix Euskaraz have expressed great concern and stressed that the implementation of such "extraordinary" clauses by the EITB communication group is "unacceptable" to the detriment of language. They call on EITB leaders to make public the agreements they have signed with the producers and to make the clarifications.
Netflix Euskaraz has announced that with the help of a Basque producer they have known that EITB has begun to apply clauses to the Basque versions of Basque productions. Consequently, the Basque version may not be available in conjunction with other language versions. The proponents of the initiative have shown great concern: "If we are not able to respond urgently to the challenge, the damage caused to language in a short time can be irreparable."
Even though EITB leaders have made these intentions public in the presentation of the "EITB 2030 Strategy" report, Netflix promoters Euskaraz say they are expecting facts. The director of EITB, Andoni Aldekoa, publicly stated his intention to establish a linguistic requirement in the financing schemes of Basque film productions, for the preferential premiere of the performances in Basque on the Bikain platform and the implementation of the first agreements with the producers.
Members of the initiative announced at a press conference that the first evidence of these clauses occurred on February 10, when Basque production Unicorn Wars premiered on the Movistar Plus platform without Basque version. From the hand of the producer bilbain Uniko, they knew that the reason not to put the Basque version was that it would premiere preferably in EITB.
Netflix Euskaraz stressed that the implementation of this type of "extraordinary clauses" by the EITB communication group is "unacceptable" to the detriment of language. "This measure that EITB is promoting violates citizens' linguistic rights, opposes the promotion and dissemination of the Basque language and the Basque language versions, and only undermines the normalization of the Basque language," they add. They state that they violate citizens' rights and that they "greatly harm" the Basque people.
They ask EITB leaders to publish the agreements they have signed with the producers and to explain: "Clarify what has happened at Disney Plus! With the first season of the series, if with Irati the same will happen, and with the Basque productions that are premiered on the platforms."
They have also denounced the "irresponsibility" of the Department of Culture and Linguistic Policy of the Basque Government and of EITB, and stressed that the Government should pay attention to the impact of audiovisual media on "everyone's lives and language habits", adapting strategies to new consumption habits.
In July the Spanish Congress passed the General Audiovisual Law. Like Netflix Euskaraz, the Basque Media Hekimen Association and the Basque Culture Council denounced the non-compliance with various language provisions. Moreover, the Council has asked the Spanish Government, RTVE, the Basque Government, EITB and streaming platforms to comply with the law.
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