The Jesús Pereda Foundation has expressed deep concern regarding recent initiatives by the far-right aimed at introducing political and ideological criteria into cultural management in the region of Castilla y León. The foundation's president, Luis Fernández Bayón, cautioned that linking public funding for film production to the political orientation of projects constitutes a "veiled mechanism of indoctrination and control."
While there is no formal prohibition on filming a movie, financial pressure can create a "chilling effect," leading creators, filmmakers, and production companies to self-censor and avoid certain topics for fear of losing funding.
Fernández Bayón asserted that artistic and intellectual freedom should not be subject to political fluctuations or the whims of those in power. He argued that public funding should be based on criteria that are "transparent, objective, and professional, evaluated by industry experts," rather than the ideological alignment of current political leaders.
Furthermore, the union representative framed the proposal regarding cinema within a broader strategy of curtailing freedom of expression in the region, indicating that this is not an isolated incident. The attempt to control cinema is part of a pattern of "serious episodes of prior censorship" observed in public libraries across the community, as well as the recent suspension and censorship of photographer Íñigo Varona's exhibition by the Diputación de Valladolid.
While Vox, a far-right political party, champions the concept of "freedom" in its rhetoric, in practice it promotes mechanisms that "restrict the freedom of creation, expression, and plural access to culture for citizens." CCOO reiterates that culture is a fundamental right and "an essential democratic pillar that must ensure diversity, pluralism, and critical thinking." The organisation demands that the institutions of Castilla y León uphold neutrality in cultural management and protect professionals in the sector from any attempts at ideological interference or censorship.
