Podcast Summary: Más de Uno, Onda Cero

Episode: Tertulia: La radio se mantiene fuerte
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Carlos Alsina
Panelists: Mamen Mendizábal, Nacho Cardero, Rubén Amón, José Antonio Vera, Borja, Paqui Viruez, Emiliano García-Page, Ignacio Rodríguez Burgos

Overview

This episode’s main theme is the enduring strength and influence of radio as a medium, especially in the age of digital transformation and political turbulence. Through a lively tertulia (roundtable), the panel reflects on the celebration of World Radio Day, the unique power of radio compared to other media, the intersection of journalism and technology, and the media's crucial role in accompanying listeners through times of social and political change. The discussion is punctuated with commentary on Spanish political news, with an emphasis on the internal dynamics and electoral troubles of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. World Radio Day: Why Radio Endures

Timestamps: 15:07–20:24

• The panel celebrates World Radio Day, reflecting on what makes radio special among media platforms.
  • Mamen Mendizábal describes "el poder de la radio, no solo para levantar nuestra imaginación, sino por supuesto el poder de la información." (15:38)
  • Nacho Cardero and Borja highlight radio’s resilience amidst crises facing print and other legacy media. Radio preserves its original attributes: influence and daily companionship.
  • Rubén Amón notes the growth in radio consumption, stating that technological advances (streaming, podcasts) have benefited rather than threatened radio.
    • Notable quote: “El consumo de la radio crece y las fórmulas tecnológicas que le han acompañado favorecen a la radio… Antes las agendas informativas se cuajaban con los editoriales de los periódicos. Ahora lo hacen con los espacios radiofónicos de la mañana.” (17:06)

2. The Unique Qualities of Radio vs. Television & Print

Timestamps: 24:06–31:10

• Debate on audio vs. visual media:
  • Mamen highlights how each medium serves a different function: "La combinación de todo… nos vamos acercando a través de la tecnología unos a otros." (30:09)
  • Radio is seen as more intimate, less exposed than television, and able to delve deeper than TV’s fast-paced, image-driven format.
  • Rubén Amón introduces a memorable metaphor: “Me gusta decir que la prensa escrita es sólida, la radio es líquida y la televisión es gaseosa.” (29:17)
  • The group acknowledges that many prominent TV journalists started in radio and often express nostalgia for it.

3. The Transformative Role of Technology

Timestamps: 16:29, 30:09–31:24

• Technology is seen as a force bringing media closer, with print, radio, and TV increasingly blending formats (e.g., podcasts with video, radio on social media).
• Borja summarizes: “El periodismo siempre va a ser lo mismo, lo que cambia es cómo se produce, cómo se distribuye y cómo se consume, atendiendo a las nuevas generaciones que son mucho más audiovisuales y les encanta el audio.” (31:10)

4. Radio as Community Lifeline: Grazalema’s Example

Timestamps: 20:24–24:35

• Paqui Viruez, director of Radio Municipal de Grazalema, shares the ongoing struggles of her community, which remains evacuated due to floods.
  • She explains how radio and social networks now serve to keep residents informed and connected from a distance.
  • “Mi compañero Moreno… está en Ronda… y entre él y yo vamos subiendo en estos momentos a redes sociales, que es nuestro canal de información.” (21:22)
• Paqui provides a heartfelt perspective on the necessity of radio: “La radio forever, por encima de cualquier otro medio y que la necesitamos. Es una droga muy necesaria en estos tiempos.” (23:42)

5. Current Spanish Politics: Fragmentation and Party Crisis

Timestamps: 32:16–61:26

• Inflation Update:

  • Ignacio Rodríguez Burgos reports Spain’s inflation at 2.3%, driven by energy prices and retail discounts, with a notable decrease in clothing and tourism costs. (32:16–33:40)

• PSOE’s Internal Conflict and Electoral Setbacks:

  • The panel discusses controversial remarks by minister Óscar López blaming the late Javier Lambán for PSOE losses in Aragón.
    • Borja labels the statements “declaraciones total deplorables, echar la culpa a un muerto de los malos resultados electorales” (35:36)
    • Mamen rebuts: “Me parece una barbaridad desde el punto de vista de la lealtad política… No te permite ver los errores del Partido Socialista.” (36:33)
    • Rubén Amón goes further: "Yo creo que es un comportamiento miserable… El principal enemigo del Partido Socialista ha sido Pedro Sánchez…" (37:48)
    • Nacho Cardero and others reflect on the pattern of internal dissent and bunker mentality in the PSOE, with mention of past leaders like Felipe González.

6. Live Interview with Emiliano García-Page (President of Castilla-La Mancha)

Timestamps: 61:37–71:28

• On the Óscar López-Lambán Controversy:

  • García-Page is deeply critical:
    • “Me supuso dolor… sobre todo muy triste, muy triste… Lo malo no sólo es decirlo, es incluso pensarlo… Lo de ayer me pareció especialmente duro, aparte de totalmente injusto.” (62:24–64:48)
  • He reads López’s comments as symptomatic of the current PSOE’s tendency to bunker up and avoid genuine debate:
    • “La condición de haber generado un búnker es que no se dan cuenta de que estar dentro del búnker es estar prisionero… Es un permanente excusario…” (65:10)

• On Coalition Building and Electoral Blockades:

  • García-Page explains the strategic dilemma for mainstream parties in the era of pacts with extremes: "Si el PSOE y el PP se ponen de acuerdo en que no se pactaría con los extremos es una forma de restablecer el bipartidismo de fondo que la gente quiere, porque lo demás es todo antisistema y nos destroza como conjunto." (68:22)
  • He views the current climate as marked by a lack of respect, value erosion, and unsustainable political tactics.

7. Governability, Pacts, and Political Stalemate

Timestamps: 47:16–60:27

• Discussion on the national and regional political stalemate, with both PSOE and PP blamed for pursuing strategies that sacrifice local governance for national gain or partisan advantage.
• The group debates responsibility for government formation, with Alsina repeatedly stressing that, in a democracy, parties must be able to form pacts to govern—otherwise, perpetual elections and blockades ensue.
  • “La responsabilidad del bloqueo nunca es de quien ha ganado las elecciones. La responsabilidad del bloqueo es de quienes no se avienen a negociar y pactar…” (49:15)
  • Rubén Amón and Nacho Cardero see the rise of Vox and similar parties as both a symptom and a cause of mainstream parties’ troubles.
• Mamen points out: "¿De qué vale sacar 10 puntos si al final gobiernas bloqueado?" (48:55)
• The dynamic of tactical voting and the tension between local and national interests is explored at length.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Radio’s Resilience:

  • "La radio sigue ahí para arriba." – Nacho Cardero (16:05)
  • “La radio ejerce una influencia que ya no ejerce ningún otro medio, no digamos los programas de la mañana, no digamos este.” – Rubén Amón (17:26)

• On Technology and Media Convergence:

  • "El periodismo siempre va a ser lo mismo, lo que cambia es cómo se produce, cómo se distribuye y cómo se consume..." – Borja (31:10)

• On Political Bunkers:

  • "La condición de haber generado un búnker es que no se dan cuenta de que estar dentro del búnker es estar prisionero." – Emiliano García-Page (65:10)

Timeline of Key Segments (Timestamps)

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Ironizing over Valentine’s Day and its “fascist” accusation | 00:00–02:00| | Intro to panel, World Radio Day celebrations | 13:44–15:35| | Power, resilience, and evolution of radio | 15:07–20:24| | Paqui Viruez (Grazalema) and radio’s community role | 20:24–24:35| | Debate: Radio vs TV; power of sound and image | 24:35–31:10| | Inflation news, transition into PSOE/Aragón controversy | 32:16–34:09| | Roundtable: PSOE crisis, Óscar López’s remarks, party bunkerization | 35:09–43:50| | Parliamentary deadlock and pact dynamics (PP, Vox, PSOE) | 47:16–60:27| | Interview: Emiliano García-Page on PSOE, party soul, error analysis | 61:37–71:28|

Conclusion

A rich, reflective episode that, under the pretext of World Radio Day, underscores the enduring power of radio to unite and inform a society in transition. The panel’s discussion of Spanish political tensions is sharp and unsparing, offering listeners a vivid portrait of party strains, leadership blunders, and a media landscape grappling with technological and generational change. The underlying message: radio remains a vibrant, necessary space for open conversation—even as the country’s politics seem increasingly “prisoner” to their own bunkers.