The question is not whether La 1 should have an editorial line

Considerable uproar on X because Javier Ruiz argues that if Antena 3 and Telecinco have an editorial line, La 1 must be able to adopt one, too. It seems to me an absurd question, because it is obvious: there is no media outlet in the world, on Mars or Raticulin without an editorial line. Choosing what opens a newscast, which news stories are left out, whether economic growth or safeguarding the planet is more important are inevitable decisions that shape a positioning. And, therefore, the problem is not whether the first channel of RTVE has an editorial line, but whether it turns out to be sectarian. That is to say, if in the definition of its positioning, partisan criteria are imposed over the rest. And one only needs to look at the list of presenters or the composition of the talk shows to surrender to the evidence that it is a channel that clearly favors one political option over the others.

Having said that, Ruiz's critics remind him that RTVE is public and the others are not. The approach is flawed again: even if they are private, they have acquired public service obligations (which have been gradually lowered, as a result of the pressure they themselves have exerted). If they exploit a public good such as the radio spectrum, it is pertinent to demand that this use also be carried out in a non-sectarian manner. That hatred is not fueled. That they do not spread fake news... Beyond the poor spectacle of cross-reproaches between trenches, what there is, is a sectarian private television and the complicated—but interesting!—debate is to decide if the public one has the right to compensate on the other side and fall into the same sin, with the pretext of serving the half of Spain orphaned of a progressive offer. It is easy to act superior and say no. But today, Iker Jimenez's Cuatro boasts of having had its best October in the last 17 years. The system is sick and that is the root of the problem.