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The opposition is against the «most radical» candidate, blaming her for «the disappearance of pluralism in public media.» Journalist Concepción Pombo has highlighted her «long» career to lead CRTVG in a new phase «with Galician and local content at the forefront,» aiming to «foster a more emotional relationship with the audience» where citizens are «involved in the production and dissemination of content.»
In her speech at the Galician Parliament to present her candidacy for the position of director general of CRTVG – Galician Audiovisual Services Corporation (CSAG), the name given to the corporation after a recent law was passed in the regional parliament to regulate Galician public media – Pombo explained that she started as an intern at the corporation in 1998 and now, 27 years later, she is aiming to «take on the most responsible position» within the organization. She believes this sends «a tremendously powerful message» because it values the career and professional trajectory of all the company’s employees.
This graduate in Information Sciences from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), proposed by the majority group of the PPdeG with opposition rejection, states that she faces this «enormous» challenge with «institutional responsibility, deep gratitude, and enthusiasm,» as well as «with a firm commitment to put her long career in the corporation at the service of this project.»
Therefore, as the successor of Alfonso Sánchez Izquierdo, she argues that CRTVG is «key» for Galicia in a moment of technological and social transformation: «We will be required to be accurate.» She promises to «cover both the big and the small, the mainstream and the niche, what attracts viewers and what doesn’t.»
She detailed that she has spent «almost her entire» professional career at CRTVG, except for a four-year hiatus in the Emigration Department and the private sector to direct a program for the public entity. She mentions working «in all editions of Telexornais,» «at the microphone and keyboard for all shifts.» Since 2017, she has been the director of the Information and Documentation area.
«I chose to be a journalist in a time of effervescence,» Pombo stated about a period of almost 30 years in which she has witnessed the evolution of the Galician media ecosystem, recalling working in a newsroom where there were only «two computers» connected to the Internet.
For all these reasons, she claims to know what it’s like to work «from the inside and outside,» «as a provider and as an employee,» as well as from intern to news director making «crucial decisions from the boardroom.»
Challenges: «Strengthening the G Brand»
Among the most immediate challenges, she highlights the digitalization of radio and archive production, which «impresses to the point of being emotional to see directly,» the «audiovisual memory of the country.» She emphasizes the need to digitize the archive between 1985 and 2000 as this material is close to degradation.
In this regard, the candidate believes that «most Galicians can reasonably be satisfied» with CRTVG in 2025 and hopes that they «can also be reasonably satisfied» with the future CSAG. «We must love ‘a galega’, nurture it, promote it,» she asserts.
On this point, Concepción Pombo emphasizes «strengthening the G brand,» «a umbrella of audiovisual services.» The change from CRTVG to CSAG may be daunting and traumatic, but she believes: «It won’t be because our great brand is the G of Galega.»
«Agalega.gal is our Galician Netflix, diverse and free,» she assures. «It is among the most consumed video-on-demand platforms in Spain,» she adds.
Another essential point she observes is digital literacy, as vulnerable population sectors need specific measures «not to be isolated.» She also advocates for strengthening alliances with Galician universities and research centers, as well as connecting with the diaspora and the Lusophone community.
At the same time, she highlights a successful economic restructuring, as well as progress in areas such as ultra-definition and the integration of artificial intelligence.
Regarding audiences, she laments that Galician is a language that «is still penalized by algorithms» and calls for measurement that is «precise,» not only with traditional meters but with a «fusion» with digital data.
The «Most Radical» Candidate
On the other hand, Olalla Rodil (BNG) has rejected Pombo’s candidacy because she considers her «responsible for the disappearance of pluralism in public media in this country.» She accuses the director of the Information area of «representing the continuity of one of the most disastrous stages» of the corporation and leading it to «historical audience lows.»
She recalls the Venres Negros to denounce manipulation and reprisals against workers. «We cannot endorse someone who is part of this stage’s trajectory,» Rodil told Pombo.
She advocates for a public service «without sectarianism.» She refers to the «veto» and «cancellation» of CRTVG to the BNG, criticizing that the last interview with the leader of the Bloque, Ana Pontón, was in February 2024. She also mentions a recent sentence that «condemns CRTVG» for «lying» about the BNG.
Finally, Rodil has urged her to bet on «plurality and truthfulness,» and «not from sectarianism and lies, as has been happening in recent years at CRTVG.» «Stop this, stop this drift,» she demanded.
In this line, Silvia Longueira (PSdeG) has expressed that her group does not support her because «they never wanted to listen to the opposition for this election in a perverted system,» and the PP opted for the «most radical candidate possible.»
Starting her intervention with a mention of «sisterhood» as she will be the first director general of CRTVG, Longueira pointed out to Pombo that «all the discontent of workers» and reporters who have been disciplined «have her management and responsibility behind them.»
Therefore, Longueira does not believe that the demands of the Venres Negros or the journalists «excluded» in the public media will have a good resolution with Pombo as director general.
«We want to love ‘a galega,’ how can we not love the brand, but ‘a galega’ does not love us,» the socialist deputy complained. She criticizes that the law governing the future CSAG is approved «behind the backs» of the audiovisual sector and the College of Journalists, also warning that the audiovisual archive «is biased» by not covering events «unless Mr. Rueda is present.»
Armando Ojea (Democracia Ourensana) said he «does not share» the candidate’s vision of public television, also asking her not to continue with what he considers a «biased» partiality in political information. «Also give coverage to our group,» he demanded.
On the other hand, Carmen Pomar (PPdeG) has praised Pombo as «the best possible candidate,» seeing her as «impeccable» with a «brilliant record.» She defines her entry as an intern at the corporation as «meritocracy,» and she will be the first woman at the helm of the organization «breaking glass ceilings.» «Here positions are not handed out or carded,» she stated.
The popular politician believes that there was a «hand extended» to the opposition, but «they never wanted consensus.» «They are more comfortable with banners and barricades,» she criticized.
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