The Aragon Radio and Television Corporation (CARTV) is the public broadcast company that serves the region of Aragon. It consists of Radio Aragon and Aragon Television.
Media assets
Television: Aragón TV (HD), Aragón TV INT
Radio: Aragón Radio, Aragón Radio 2
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
CARTV was established through Law No. 8 of 1987 (amended through Law No. 4 of 1996). It has the legal statute of a state-owned corporation that is administratively subordinated to the Department of Presidency of the Aragon region government. The highest governing body at CARTV is the Board of Directors that has 16 members, 15 of whom are appointed by the Parliament of the Aragon region. The remaining member is appointed by the Advisory Council. The Director General of the corporation is appointed by parliament upon recommendation by the Board of Directors.
Source of funding and budget
In each 2021 and 2022, CARTV received a state subsidy of €50m from the Aragon region government, which represented more or less the entire budget of the broadcaster, according to a company annual report.
Editorial independence
There is no evidence of systematic editorial control by the government of CARTV. Yet, in recent years, we documented a pattern where the People’s Party (PP) has been attacking the CARTV, triggering harsh criticism from the journalistic community.
The editorial independence of CARTV is established through the Program Agreement that is regularly renewed and signed by the Aragon government with the CARTV. In the latest agreement, the government specifically guarantees the editorial independence of CARTV.
The Advisory Board is defined by law as embodying the participation of civil society in CARTV. The board, consisting of 16 members endorsed by the regional parliament based on proposals made by various NGOs, private companies, academic institutions and the CARTV staff, is offering feedback and suggestions to the CARTV’s management with a view to improving the station’s programming.
September 2023