The evolution of television debates during the Transition (1975-1982): broadcasting formulas, key programs and legacy

Abstract

This article analyzes the debate programs on Televisión Española (TVE) during the Spanish Transition (1975-1982), a crucial period when Spain was adapting to democracy after Franco dictatorship. Debate programs underwent significant transformations, incorporating formats that promoted a diversity of opinions and improved moderation techniques. The presence of guests with multiple political orientations and the overcoming of Francoist censorship restrictions enabled the discussion of sensitive topics and the reconfiguration of historical narratives, thus contributing to the formation of a more critical and plural public opinion. The study methodology is notable for its exhaustive approach, using both primary and secondary sources including RTVE archive materials and hemerographic, corporate, and institutional sources. This emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to understand the social impact of these programs. Additionally, this work details the controbersial debates that reflected a society and television network in transformation. These changes not only illustrated the adaptation of debate formats to an emerging democratic environment but also demonstrated how public television could actively influence the democratization process. Finally, the contribution of debate programs to Spanish democracy is assessed by how they provided a forum for public discussion and allowed the expression of a wide range of opinions and citizen participation, key factors in strengthening the social and civic fabric of the country.