The Public Radio and Television of Castilla-La Mancha (RTVCM) is the public broadcaster of the region Castilla-La Mancha. The broadcaster launched its operations in 2001. Today, it runs both television and radio channels.
Media assets
Television: CMM TV (HD)
Radio: CMM Radio
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
RTVCM was established through Law No. 3 of 2000 as a public company belonging to the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha. The regional parliament in Castilla-La Mancha exercises control over the broadcaster through a parliamentary commission (Control Commission of the Public Entity of Radio-Television of Castilla-La Mancha).
The highest governing structure at RTVCM is the Board of Directors consisting of 13 members who are elected by the Parliament of Castilla-La Mancha region, which also appoints RTVCM’s General Director, the executive body of the station.
Source of funding and budget
RTVCM is financed through a combination of state funding and advertising revenues. The largest part, over 80%, of the RTVCM’s budget comes from a subsidy allocated by the regional government in Castilla-La Mancha. This contribution increased by nearly €4m to €44.6m in 2020.
In 2022, the broadcaster had a total budget of €51.6m and in 2023 is operating with a budget of €54.3m, most of it coming from a government subsidy.
Editorial independence
RTVCM often experiences pressures from politicians and state authorities that want to control and manipulate the editorial coverage of the broadcaster. Often, state officials claim that the station is not properly managed. In other cases, the media have critically reported about various dubious deals concluded by the station’s management; however, these are mostly business-related affairs. There is no solid evidence of manipulation of RTVCM’s editorial content or systematic control of the station’s editorial affairs by the government.
Except for a document known as “General Programming Principles” that only introduces a series of rules that journalists at RTVCM are supposed to follow, there is no document that establishes the editorial independence of the broadcaster.
RTVCM has an Advisory Council, which is established by law to assist the Board of Directors with suggestions aimed at improving the broadcaster’s programming. The council is called on at least twice a year to provide such feedback. The council has 15 members appointed as follows: three by the regional parliament, three by the regional government, three by the municipalities in the region, three by the University de Castilla-La Mancha and three by the broadcaster’s staff.
September 2023