Public uses of history during Spanish Transition. Communicating history and debating on Spanish Television (1978 a 1985)

Abstract

The present work analyses the different versions and uses of history in two television programs broadcasted during the Spanish political period called Transition: Tribuna de la Historia and La víspera de nuestro tiempo. The format, the selection of topics covered, the guests present in these spaces and their impact on the public debate through the press are evaluated. It shows that there was no historical amnesia in TVE during this period, on the contrary, through these programs, they attempted to provide an objective history that could make true the dialogue between experts from different approaches. It was avoided the documentary format used by Franco and it was chosen the colloquy between different positions, because not only the dissemination of a new history was pursued but also of a new political culture: there could be dialogue and debate on controversial issues, among discordant positions. History was used in this way to educate the Spanish in the new realities through the example of the past. When the Transition ended, this attempt lost interest and these programs disappeared.