(By Hekimen, Basque Media Association)

In 2016 there have been significant changes in the calls for grants from the administrations of the Basque Country in relation to the media in Basque. First, it should be noted that the most important calls are pending resolution in September, and that administrative delays cause many damages and headaches to the media in Basque. As the industry has claimed on more than one occasion, we need an effective grant system that the call decides on time.

Analyzing one by one, it should be noted that in 2016 the Government of Navarra has recovered its investment policy eliminated in 2010 through two calls: the call to subsidize Basque in the media and the call for audiovisual. Between them, the Government of Navarra will invest 355.000 € in media in Basque. This amount does not reach historical demands and is below the aid that the Basque Government granted to these media in previous years. According to Hekimen, this subsidy is not enough and for the next few years we demand the Government a more determined commitment by the media entirely in Basque. The Government of Navarra launched the Strategic Plan of the Basque Country before the summer, in which it proposed the creation of a table around the media to talk not only about financing but also about the protection needed by the media.

Another significant change has occurred in the investment made by the DFG. This year 440.000 € more will be allocated to media in Basque in various calls. Total increase of 38%.In 2016 the administration will allocate more money than ever to the media entirely in the Basque language of Gipuzkoa. The increases will occur in all the calls (televisions, radios, paper publications and ICTs), highlighting the new call for 100,000 € for the promotion of media in the region.

The Provincial Council of Alava has also approved a new grant of 50,000 €. Although the bag is small, the passage of the DFA can be considered a step forward.

The Public Institution of the Basque Country (EEP), which grants aid to the media in Iparralde, this year awarded 4% to the media in Basque other than those in the Basque Country, returning to the ranks of 2012. Antxeta Irratia, Gure Irratia, Xiberoko Botza and Irulegiko Irratia, Euskal Irratia, stressed that in the last 12 years, since the creation of the EEP, the grant granted to radio stations has not increased.

In the DFB call for grants there has been a decrease of €50,000. The Basque Media Aid Exchange has been reduced. Although the previous stock exchange was not enough, this decision of the Provincial Council narrows the local media in Basque of Bizkaia.

The Basque Government distributes the most important subsidies for the sector. In 2016 the VPL has launched a call for grants of three years, with the same amount as in previous years: 4.900.000 €. The novelty is that the money received by the Navarra media from this game until last year, will now be distributed among the media of the CAPV, almost half among Internet products. This means 6% more money for the Basque media.

Regarding this call for grants for three years, it should be noted that the VPL has positively valued a series of recommendations made by Hekimen, among which is the assessment of the effort that the consumer is willing to make to receive the product (subscriptions, etc.). and frequency. The call for grants for three years, however, leaves no room for new projects, which can hinder the development of the sector. On the other hand, other recommendations issued by Hekimen have not been taken into account, such as the inclusion of a total number of readers in the survey data conducted by the VFL, or the adoption of other variables in addition to the scope. As Hekimen has previously pointed out, the existence of a common money exchange over the next three years and the three-year call without discussing the main criteria is not what the sector needs, as it is not enough guarantee for its breakup and stabilization.

Consequently, Hekimen wants to emphasize that this year the administrations will invest more money than last year in the media in Basque in general. We consider this increase as a consequence of the effort made by the Basque media sector, among others, in the search for collaboration frameworks with various administrations and in the visibility and socialization of the needs of the sector.

Hekimen is clear, in any case, that with the objective of stability and development of the sector, new paths must be addressed, financing increased and collaboration with all administrations deepened. Hekimen identified these needs in the diagnosis he developed in 2015: calls for multi-year grants with wide acceptance and possibility of development of the sector and a significant increase in funding (2.5 million euros more).

Without losing this north, Hekimen is ready to continue working with different administrations to improve current conditions and open new doors to innovation and collaboration.