Current Spanish regulation of radio stations broadcasting. Legal and political changes, case law and outstanding minor legal doctrine (1980-2021): the study case of Radio Nacional de España and Corporación RadioTelevision

Abstract

In this paper we deal with the current situation of the radio broadcasting regulations in Spain, as a consequence of the changes experienced in the last 40 years in laws, in  administrative organisation and  in minor legal doctrine related to radio broadcasting. 

 To this end,   laws related to the companies themselves, to the radiobroadcasting as part of the Mass Media and to the message disseminated by radio broadcasting are tackled, including aspects such as the political propaganda on the radio, a constant concern in recent years in which Spain has been experiencing politically turbulent times, with a succession of general and regional elections coming up in the near future. 

Those three aspects –the radio stations companies, the radio as Mass Media & the radio messages- have undergone technological and management changes that have made legal changes necessary to happen; new legal principles must inspire radio broadcasting, which means deepening the constitutional values and principles that unite us, facilitating our coexistence as a nation.  Telecommunications regulations also make their presence felt, which apply to operators who provide media technology. Technological changes have led to a conceptual shift in broadcasting from "public service" to "service of public interest".