Jaime Cantizano Details Difficult Exit from Spanish Television,Cites Concerns Over Editorial Freedom
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A candid account from the veteran broadcaster reveals a challenging final period at RTVE and a preference for the creative liberties afforded by radio.
After less than eight months, Jaime Cantizano’s moast recent stint in Spanish television concluded last summer. Having previously hosted popular programs like ‘Look Who’s Dancing!’ and the morning show ‘Hormiguero,’ his departure from RTVE was swift and unexpected.
The abrupt exit followed a period of meaningful personal struggle, as cantizano himself revealed in an interview with Susanna Griso on Antena 3’s ‘Public Mirror.’ He described a time of intense difficulty during his tenure at RTVE, stating, “I have not been as close to personal crisis as in the last year. In the month of May I couldn’t handle work anymore,I was on the edge. Everything bothered me, I got angry about everything. Talking about depression seems like a very serious topic to me, but was destroyed.”
Since then, Cantizano has been forthright about the pressures he experienced in television, leading him to reconsider a return to the medium. He recently elaborated on his experiences in an interview with the informalia portal, published by El Economista, emphasizing the factors contributing to his dissatisfaction with public broadcasting.
A Search for Stability and Editorial Independence
As the Andalusian presenter explained,he found television to be a breeding ground for “controversial situations,” a stark contrast to the stability he now enjoys in radio. He identified certain principles as non-negotiable, particularly after decades in the industry. During his time as a presenter, he realized he was unwilling to accept having “a way of telling certain news imposed on him,” or to see sensitive issues like corruption presented in a manner that felt detached from reality.
Cantizano voiced concerns about a growing danger: the potential for truth to be manipulated “in an interested manner by some and by others.” However, he clarified that this issue isn’t worldwide across all media outlets. “At Atresmedia is where I have found the most freedom when creating a program, and I’m not saying this as I’m working here,” he stated.
Building Collaborative teams and Avoiding Echo Chambers
The veteran broadcaster also touched upon the importance of assembling a diverse and intellectually stimulating team.he cautioned against the temptation to “selecting teams because you like them,” a pitfall he observed throughout his 30+ year career. Instead, he believes the key is “to be surrounded by people much smarter than me, people who don’t think like me and who contribute to the social debate-not that they arrive with a flag and with a slogan.” he emphasized that his collaborators are not expected to simply echo his own views: “My collaborators do not stand out for being the voice of a master.”
Despite his reservations, Cantizano acknowledged that the offer to return to TVE to lead the morning programming was appealing. “After so long without doing television, I wanted to know how oiled my machinery was,” he said, adding with satisfaction, “it was well oiled.”
Questioning Representation on Public Television
Cantizano also addressed the critical question of whether Spanish taxpayers feel adequately represented by TVE’s programming. Having spent much of his career in the private sector, he stated his intention was to “try to make the largest number of viewers, of taxpayers, feel represented.” He believed his role was to ensure inclusivity, stating, “I can’t get ther and, because of my way of understanding how I should present a program, kick some or reject others.”
Though, he expressed doubt that this objective is currently being met.When asked if most Spanish Television contributors feel represented, the presenter responded, “believe not,” citing a shift towards programming that prioritizes infotainment over substantive content. “I think not. It has opted for a type of programming-this formula in which the Infotainment allows you to play with information and opinion,” he admitted.
