Media law reform by the Partido Popular Government in Galicia: violation of the Regulation on the European Media Freedom Act

Question for written answer E-001467/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE)

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) puts in place measures to protect journalists and ensure media pluralism and independence from political interference.

The Regional Government of Galicia intends to do the contrary and reform the media law to gain absolute control over public television and radio in Galicia, getting rid of professional participation bodies and opening the door to languages other than Galician, thereby violating the recent regulation. As part of the proposed reform, the election of the director of the Galician Radio and Television Corporation (CRTVG) will no longer require a reinforced majority; an absolute majority, as held by the ruling party, will be sufficient. Under the current rules, at least 45 of the 75 members of the Galician Parliament would have to vote in favour of a candidate.

I would like to remind the Commission that CRTVG staff have been protesting about information manipulation for over 320 weeks and that some executives are even being tried for alleged acts of retaliation against critical journalists, an issue already dealt with by the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions.

In view of the above:

Can the Commission monitor this legal reform, which entails the total loss of the already diminished independence of Galician public media?

Submitted: 1.8.2024