Some critics wonder whether anyone in the recent fifty-year weekly commemorative reports still tunes in privately. The question isn’t merely about viewership; it hints at a larger debate about standards in journalism. Calm, thoughtful reporting is praised in theory, yet the program has not extended its format to a full sixty minutes with four weekly installments. Over the past decade, it has often been treated as a liquidation item, moved quickly toward termination. Those who watched understand the implied message and the tension behind the decision making.
There was scant acknowledgment of the figure Mª Antonia Iglesias, a person widely blamed for disrupting the program. She redirected energy toward Sunday afternoons, shifted focus to real estate, and claimed to be exploring America. Some described her as a biased journalist who resisted challenge. Yet such a pivotal piece of information was not included in the memorial program as documentation—an omission many found inexcusable.
Two core reports framed the program: the first, authored by Juan Antonio Tirado, carried a nostalgic and historical tone, with a reflective mood. He did not overlook Pepe Infante, a teacher of cultural journalism who stood alongside him. The second report, authored by the program’s current director, José Carlos Gallardo, and shot at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, featured a gathering of media figures. It suggested a prevailing stance among those present, offering eloquent words, polished definitions, and, some might say, a cloud of smoke that blurred the edges of truth.
Gallardo later traveled to Carmen Sarmiento’s home, the first TVE reporter, for what could have become a monographic feature. Among the participants, the standout moment was Letizia Ortiz, who hosted the program during a previous summer. Her precision and discipline left the audience without words, a rare moment where the delivery spoke louder than the narration.