Catalan public media faces sanction over Madrid protest coverage

The Catalan public broadcaster will be subject to disciplinary proceedings over its coverage of the Madrid demonstration against the trial of independence leaders.

The corporation that runs TV3 and Catalunya Radio has been asked to offer parties not present at the march two hours of coverage. 

Spain's Electoral Authority also forbids Catalan public media using terms like "exile," "political prisoners," and "repressive trial."

Torra and Iceta's reaction

President Quim Torra called the authority's decision "censorship" and he was also critical of the ban on the use of certain words.

Talking on television in Portugal, where he is to give a talk, Torra said: "Imagine how far freedom of expression is questioned in our country."

However, the leader of the Catalan Socialists, Miquel Iceta, called the authority's ban on certain words and expressions "logical."

According to Iceta, public broadcasters have to remain "neutral" and "not use biased language," and should respect all decisions by the electoral authority.