MADRID – Spain’s public broadcaster has said it will show its first bullfight in six years next month, a controversial decision as bullfighting faces growing public opposition.
State-funded Televisión Española (TVE) is in the middle of a major shake-up that has seen its budget slashed by 37 per cent this year and several prominent journalists forced out as the centre-right government overhauls the broadcaster’s top brass.
It decided to air bullfighting, which has been banned in some regions of Spain, after bullfighters, bull breeders and promoters agreed to waive their broadcasting fees.
Bullfighting is highly divisive – some consider it inhumane, while others say it is an essential part of traditional Spanish culture. It was classified as an art last year, making the ministry of culture responsible for it.
Prime minister Mariano Rajoy is known to be a fan of bullfights. TVE decided to stop broadcasting them in 2006, under the previous socialist government, because they were considered unsuitable for children, although there are no age restrictions to enter Spain’s bullrings. – (Reuters)