There was outrage and indignation when Spain's state-owned television broadcaster, Televisión Española, opted to not show Prime Minister Rajoy's declaration in the Gürtel corruption case live on its principal channel, TVE, on Wednesday, but instead broadcast its La Mañana programme, which included a demonstration on how to prepare the recipe for a bechamel sauce. Spain's other main TV channels broadcast the Prime Minister's declaration live.
Estas son nuestras pantallas de redacción: En grande La Sexta. A la dcha: Cuatro, TVE1, A3 y T5. Solo en 1 están haciendo bechamel ¿En cual? pic.twitter.com/EHPGJc2Wsf
— Beatriz Correal (@BeatrizCorreal) 26 of July 2017
The TVE network came under criticism for its choice of broadcast, and questions were asked why priority was given to 'cooking' when at the same time - and indeed for the first time in history - the Spanish Prime Minister was having to make a declaration in a corruption case.
¿En serio? ¿Es esto la actualidad? ¿No se os estará olvidando algo? Una pista: muy eshpañoles, Luis sé fuerte... Me rindo, no tenéis remedio
— kevinlewevin (@kevinlewevin) 26 of July 2017
Many journalists have criticised the decision of Spain's public broadcaster.
El presidente del Gobierno declarando en la Audiencia Nacional. Mientras en la 1 de TVE... pic.twitter.com/1VGYiUbBr3
— Fer González Gonzo (@a_lo_gonzo) 26 of July 2017
-Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco, La Sexta y Telemadrid con la declaración de Rajoy.
— Antonio Maestre (@AntonioMaestre) 26 of July 2017
-TVE está con las dietas para adelgazar del Dr Romero pic.twitter.com/W2wtxDHx4f
Indeed, two of its own journalists questioned whether TVE was offering a public service.
Todas las tvs informando de la declaración histórica de #Rajoy menos TVE #vergüenza #serviciopublico?? pic.twitter.com/ngt7vYlFw1
— Lara Robles (@lara_robles) 26 of July 2017
La declaración de Rajoy ante la Audiencia Nacional no sale en directo en @tve_tve.
¿POR QUÉ? #vergonzoso pic.twitter.com/Eu37gD9Ees — Antolín Romero (@AntolinRomero) 26 of July 2017