El plan del gallego señala a los medios públicos y les exige ser “motores de normalización”

The new Galician Media Publics Law, which came into effect in April 2025, has outlined specific responsibilities for public media outlets, including the Corporation of Audiovisual Services of Galicia (CSAG), formerly known as CRTVG. According to the document, one of the key missions of these institutions is to "promote, disseminate, and drive forward the Galician language and raise awareness of the cultural and linguistic identity of Galicia." The proposed General Normalization Plan (PXNLG), presented this past Wednesday, assigns clear duties to the Galician Television (TVG) and Galician Radio, emphasizing their role as "spaces of linguistic leadership and exemplars of social linguistic excellence." The PXNLG underscores the importance of public media in fostering and promoting the Galician language, while also highlighting the disparity compared to the previous General Plan approved in 2004. Since then, the media landscape has evolved significantly, with a marked increase in the availability of content in Spanish over Galician. For instance, the terrestrial digital television (TDT) offers only two regional channels in Galician against thirty options in Spanish, a ratio that worsens further in radio, streaming platforms, and online spaces. Moreover, the plan notes a decline in viewership and listenership due to a global shift in the audiovisual market, particularly driven by the rise of streaming services. This change has altered audience engagement patterns, making it harder for the CSAG to connect effectively with younger generations through linear programming. As a result, the PXNLG warns that the current consumption habits of audiovisual products pose challenges to the CSAG's ability to serve as a natural agent for promoting the Galician language in alignment with other forms of media consumption. Despite these challenges, the PXNLG asserts that the CSAG holds considerable potential to enhance the visibility and positive perception of the Galician language, especially among youth. It calls for continued development of formats, content, and strategies tailored to children and young audiences. The plan specifically requests that the CSAG expand its efforts to promote the Galician language as a preferred means of communication within families, ensuring that its programming includes shows, series, and competitions that celebrate and encourage confidence in the Galician language, while also attracting non-Galician speakers through passive learning opportunities and positive role models. In addition, the PXNLG urges the CSAG to incorporate programs, series, and contests that value and foster pride in the Galician-speaking community. These initiatives aim to both bolster self-esteem among Galician speakers and generate interest among those who do not speak the language. The document emphasizes the need to reinforce the role of public media as leaders in linguistic promotion and as exemplary references for societal linguistic norms. The PXNLG outlines several specific measures, including the creation of attractive fictional series for adolescents on TVG. These steps reflect a broader strategy to ensure that public media play a central role in advancing the Galician language and culture, aligning with the goals set forth in the updated legal framework.