Marhuenda and TVE’s one-track mind

As part of La Sexta TV channel’s coverage of la Diada [Catalonia’s National Day] its Al rojo vivo programme, invited Francisco Marhuenda to appear. The director of the right-wing newspaper La Razón, took the opportunity to repeat his usual mantra and rail against TV3 as the indoctrinator of the Catalan people. When Jesús Maraña reminded him that Spain’s public broadcaster TVE [Televisión Española] was not a shining example itself, Marhuenda responded that "As a Catalan who opposes independence, I wish TV3 were like Televisión Española".

TV3

On the morning of the Diada, 3/24, [TV3’s 24-hour news channel], broadcast live the whole of Ciudadanos’ rally held in Barcelona’s Moll de la Marina. TV3’s Els Matins show also went live to the event on several occasions, as it did with Catalunya en Comú’s rally in Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Lídia Heredia's discussion panel included guests representing different ideologies and even went as far as interviewing the editor of Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial, who can hardly be accused of being a supporter of Catalan independence. 3/24 interviewed various political leaders during the floral offering at the Rafael Casanova monument. TV3 has plenty of experience in broadcasting the Diada. This year the highpoint of the choreography of T-shirts and the passing of banners was not particularly photogenic. However, once again another peaceful, massive demonstration was preserved for posterity with journalistic precision.

TVE

Meanwhile, on TVE's morning chat show the guests all shared the same point of view. However, the all-time low was reached at five in the afternoon on its 24h channel, with a special show on the Diada hosted by Emilio de Andrés. The guests not only shared their disdain for Catalonia, but there was a shameless double helping of unionist group Catalan Civil Society (SCC). Its former president, Josep Ramon Bosch was in the Madrid studio, while its current president, Mariano Gomà appeared via live feed from the SCC’s office in Sant Cugat. Bosch provided some light relief when he claimed the pro-independence parties had been lucky with the weather, which would encourage more protesters to attend. He also lamented the fact that on Spain’s National Day (12 October) bad weather had prevented a bigger turnout on behalf of those who shared his views.

The height of bias came at 6:30 pm, with the Barcelona protesters on the move, when the programme’s guests passed comment on the turnout: "There are a lot less people than during the demonstration in Plaça de Catalunya to denounce the terrorist attacks". When you compare the two public TV channels, it is plain to see why Marhuenda would like TV3 to be like TVE.

8TV

8 al dia’s coverage started too late. It missed the two most emotional moments: the minute of silence and the crowds in Plaça Catalunya singing Els segadors [Catalonia’s national anthem]. Jordi Armenteras stayed true to his predecessor Josep Cuní: a chat show format (with Pere Mas, Antonio Baños, Rosa del Amo ...), using the Diada and live feeds as a backdrop.

Antena 3 and Telecinco

From the moment they went on air, Antena 3 and Telecinco’s magazine-style shows, hosted by Susanna Griso and Ana Rosa respectively, were keen to celebrate the Diada in their own way. Graciano Palomo, a guest on Espejo Público, declared: "Every day Junqueras’ two MPs in Congress insult Andalusians and Extremadurans for being lazy and smelly". Caught off guard, Griso asked him to explain: "Who said it and when?" Palomo dodged the question, however. After talking about the huge turnout for the demonstration the guests mentioned the recent ISIS threats against Catalonia in its newsletter. Griso pointed out: "I have to say, what bothers me, is that at a time when there are lots of demonstrations in Catalonia, lots of people on the street, the Islamic State have once more taken an interest in Catalonia and Plaça de Sant Jaume". The strategy of fear. Telecinco brought an end to its coverage of the Diada since they had another topic they were more interested in: interviewing Salvador Dalí’s non-daughter.

La Sexta

La Sexta’s motto for the Diada was to keep asking whether the celebration was sectarian. García Ferreras asked it in the morning and Mamen Mendizábal repeated it in the afternoon. They asked politicians and protesters alike: "Does the celebration exclude Catalans who oppose independence?" In their respective interviews, Raül Romeva and Gabriel Rufián both set Hilario Pino straight. They dispensed with Pino’s obvious questions, giving him short shrift. The show’s host, with a tone that came across as more defensive than informational, regretted the fact that "people have been led to believe that a referendum is democracy".

13TV

The Catholic Church’s TV station chose to ignore the Diada completely, although the irony behind its choice of films for the day was not lost on many: at noon, the Spaghetti Western I am Your Executioner. Just before the demonstration, When Blood Boils. And at seven, as the event came to a close, Defiance in the Dead City. Priceless.