The Audiovisual Council of Catalonia (CAC) has rejected the application of two evangelical radio stations, Ona Pau and Radio Amistad, for the concession granted to local, community and third-sector radio stations.

According to Julio Pérez, director of Ona Pau, the CAC has not explained why it has not granted them the broadcasting space, although they complied with the requirements of a summons that was not a tender, but granted directly by the competent authority.

In a letter sent to Spanish news website Protestante Digital, Pérez points out that these Christian radio stations “have been discriminated against”.

“We have met all the necessary requirements, having carried out all the protocols through our lawyers, but for the CAC we do not fit the profile of third sector radio stations”, explains the director of Ona Pau.

Both evangelical radio stations have been active in Catalonia for many years and are a reference for the evangelical audience, spreading the social, cultural and religious action of the Protestant communities.

According to the regional government's census, the evangelical community accounts for over 7% of the population.

“Our rejection is a real injustice, a totally arbitrary decision”, laments Pérez.

Easier for Roman Catholic stations

The comparison with the Roman Catholic Church is another argument used by Pérez about the injustice of the situation.

There are “ten radio stations that have been broadcasting throughout Catalonia for years, being Roman Catholic stations with daily masses and other religious content, as well as a varied program. These are stations with commercial licences”, says the director of Ona Pau.

“We have not yet been able to influence our political class, they see us as a potential source of votes, nothing more; let's not fool ourselves, these governments don't want us”.

For Pérez, “they want to eliminate Judeo-Christian culture from the social imaginary, with the exception of the politicisation of the Catholic Church, which is becoming less and less influential, but is already very well positioned in the media”.

Mobilisations

In addition to the complaint to the authorities, he explained that the Confraternity of Gospel Ministers of Catalonia (COMEC) “is planning a big protest and several legal actions”.

To this end, they have legal advice, “against this violation of our freedom of public expression in the coming months”.