The election of two members of the RTVE board of directors on the proposal of Together and ERC confirms what we already knew: that the process was a modus vivendi. In fact, of all the variations (“all for the money”, “let’s live for two days”, “the problem is the problem”, etc.) this would be the one of “and mine?” Because the election also confirms something which, although obvious, deserves to be remembered: the failure of the process.
Miquel Calçada and Sergi Sol are the representatives of these two parties which, in July 2015, promised independence after 18 months. It was almost ten years ago. Clearly not. In your mental settings, Spanish television must be the channel of the “oppressive state” of the “Kingdom of Spain”. And they wanted a Republic. Catalan, of course. But you have to make a living from something.
Calçada’s case is perhaps the most paradigmatic because, at the age of 18, he was the first voice heard by Radio Cataloniathe official radio of the Generalitat. That is to say, he was already a trusted journalist at the time. Even if no one doubts his professional value as a presenter. In the shadow of this, Pujol also granted him radio frequencies, which allowed him to launch his own channel (Flaix FM) from which he subsequently dissociated himself. On the other hand, as we know, COPE -when Jiménez Losantos was there- the frequency was removed.
Miquel Calçada He was also the first to standardize Estelada with TV3. Between 2003 and 2009 he presented a program on the public channel Afers Extérieurs, in which he dedicated himself to visiting Catalans from all over the world. Sometimes he went out wearing a jacket which, on the upper part of the sleeve, displayed a miniature independence flag.
I remember the matter was taken to Parliament’s scrutiny committee, but the CCMA executives claimed the program was made by a private production company. Even if it was broadcast on a public channel. However, his first service to the cause was in the 90s. He also presented a program, humansaccompanied by a portrait of Infanta Elena on the set. From Infanta Elena, not from another member of the Royal House.
In 2015, with the help of Francesc Homstried his luck policy. He ran as a Senate candidate for Convergencia. With such bad luck that he didn’t get out. That’s why they’re catching up now.
Finally, if you want a personal detail: Miquel Calçada and I had the same Latin teacher at BUP although he was younger. In fact, he even married her despite the age difference. The marriage then ended like Aurora’s rosary. Even with legal complaints.
The case of Sergi Sol is different because he has always been the machaca of Junqueras. At least on a communicative level. Although it started in a CiU town hall, in Sitges, in the mid-90s, I remember that when he was removed from his position as advisor to the Vice Presidency Department, in 2020, I I called:
“What are you going to do now?”
“I have things”
In fact, he is featured in many media outlets as a talk show host. Quota Esquerra: digital The National, The newspaper, The sixth. I don’t know the whole list.
What I don’t know is if it’s that close Junqueraswhy they put him on the RTVE board of directors. Probably because in Moncloa they think that the former leader of the ERC, at the next party congress, will win. And so they already attached it.
Anyway, I will end with another quote: Marta Ribas, because Sumar placed – despite its internal problems – two members in the highest control body of RTVE: Marta Ribas mentioned above representing the Commons and María Teresa Martín directly for Sumar.
An independent journalist, without a doubt. I already knew her as a member of the Initiative, the predecessor of the Commons, in Parliament. Because she was indeed a parliamentarian between 2012 and 2020. When she left, I thought she was returning to the private sector. But I was wrong: they always find work.
