The center of attention is Canal Sur at the heart of a storm over a morning show segment that sparked debate. The RTVA Professional Council announced its rejection of the interview conducted on the program Mesa de Analisis, which aired in the noon slot last Friday. The council cites violations of several regulations governing Andalusian public broadcasting, including the Professional Status of Media and the operation of the RTVA established by Law No. 18/2007.
According to the council, the time, subject, and interviewee choices raised questions, yet the tone and style of the interview were deemed incompatible with the public service mission the institution upholds. The council underscored that some topics would be better explained by relevant professionals rather than entertainers, emphasizing the gap between public service expectations and the content presented on that day.
The council noted that when an Andalusian teacher has not appeared on screen to discuss daily work for two years, a doctor or health worker has not explained regional health issues, and a porn actor is treated as a sports star or a grand slam winner, the programming risks shaping an inappropriate model for young viewers. The missive states that sexual education for youth should not be treated as simple entertainment nor as a showcase for a single narrative within the directorate’s reporting frame.
Staff from the Andalusian public network also described the interview tone as inappropriate and lacking in journalism and public service content. The subject was discussed after a drought period in Andalusia, and the choice of guest was criticized for focusing on sensational elements rather than addressing pressing regional needs. The actor in question hails from Camas, Seville, and a lighthearted moment about a local football club phrase was noted as part of the broader commentary, illustrating a tension between local culture and responsible broadcasting.
The council also reassured viewers that visual material used in the interview did not align with editorial guidelines. The segment reportedly included images showing explicit content or suggestive scenes that did not fit the channel’s standards. The panel referenced a directive from the Information Directorate on equality issues and requested editors to review terminology associated with a law that grapples with public discourse on sexuality.
The Professional Council argued that the Mesa de Analisis program missed a chance to offer a sharper and more comprehensive look at the sex industry. Analyzing its impact on minors when encounters occur in media settings would provide a more balanced perspective. The broadcast in question presented a local porn actor as a success story, but it did not sufficiently explore the challenges, risks, and darker aspects of the industry, such as exploitation, power dynamics, and the often distorted portrayal of relationships between men and women. This omission was a focal point of the council’s critique.
In the aftermath, audience complaints have been mounting since the airing. Viewers expressed concern about the broadcaster apologizing in a lighthearted manner while presenting the porn industry in an afternoon slot. The council noted ongoing engagement with the Audience Ombudsman to address these concerns, and it urged the General Directorate to implement prompt corrective measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to reinforce rigorous editorial safeguards across public programming.
Ultimately, the case underscores the delicate balance public broadcasters must strike between engaging content and maintaining a standard of public service that informs, educates, and protects vulnerable audiences. The council’s statements reflect a broader call for accountability and clearer boundaries around sensitive topics in a context that serves the diverse needs of Andalusian society while upholding professional journalism norms across public media.