Euskal Irrati Telebista (EiTB) is the autonomous public broadcaster in the Basque Country region of Spain. It was founded in 1982. EiTB protects the Basque language and culture and operates 11 television and radio channels.
Media assets
Television: ETB 1 (HD), ETB 2 (HD), ETB 3, ETB 4, ETB Sat, Canal Vasco
Radio: Euskadi Irratia, Radio Euskadi, Radio Vitoria, EiTB Musika, Euskadi Gaztea
State Media Matrix Typology: Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
EiTB is owned by the Government of the Basque Country and is directly under the Regional Ministry of Culture. In July 2020, the Basque government approved a change in EiTB’s corporate structure, turning it into EiTB Media. This public limited company brings together all public media in the Basque Country.
According to the law governing the establishment of EiTB, the Basque Parliament selects the station’s director general, who holds the highest authority. The parliament also appoints the Board of Directors, which serves as the station’s top governing body, based on recommendations from academic institutions and NGOs (specified by name in the law).
Source of funding and budget
EiTB is mainly funded by state subsidies allocated by the Basque Country government. According to the station’s annual report, its budget reached €163m in 2022, with over 85% coming from government allocation. In 2023, the broadcaster had a budget of €184m, most of it accounted for by government allocation.
Editorial independence
EiTB has frequently faced criticism for its lack of editorial independence. For example, the appointment of the EiTB’s director general has been frequently criticized as a process used to maintain the broadcaster’s editorial control. Despite these criticisms, the broadcaster often covers sensitive topics, and its journalists are not hesitant to criticize the authorities. The Basque Parliament has also, at times, mandated the station to ensure unbiased editorial coverage.
EiTB has a newsroom statute detailing all the rules, rights, and directions the group’s journalists must follow. This document establishes the group’s editorial independence.
The EiTB has a News Council for each media outlet, consisting of EiTB journalists. The newsroom statute guarantees their independence in monitoring EiTB’s work.
August 2024