The Basque public radio and television station, EITB, has withdrawn the program ‘Barraka’, a late-night comedy show, from its digital platform Primeran due to complaints of “physical and sexual violence” by a group of women against its presenter, Iker Plazaola. “EITB has provisionally suspended the production and exhibition of one of its contents after becoming aware of a production company that produces audiovisual content that has been produced complaints of sexist attacks against a member of the team,” Basque television reported this Sunday night. “EITB has taken this precautionary measure in coordination with the production company responsible for said program while waiting for the facts to be clarified and for the corresponding protocols to be applied. “EITB maintains a position of rejection and zero tolerance for any type of behavior that goes against the dignity and rights of women,” they detail in a statement.
This newspaper has been able to verify that the program that has been withdrawn is ‘Barraka’. The sources consulted explain that last week a group of women reported to the production company “several” cases of “harassment” and even “sexual violence” that allegedly occurred outside the scope of the program. Days later, this week, Hiru Damatxo, as the production is called, transmitted this information to EITB. The organization directed by Andoni Aldekoa ordered not to upload new episodes – it is content that is not broadcast on linear television – and to remove the two that were archived. It is the space with the most audience in ‘Primeran’, which is a kind of Netflix launched by EITB. Sources from the entity also indicate that “they are not aware” that these have been transferred to police or judicial authorities. They maintain that “the idea is to continue with the program but with another presenter.”
The matter came to light this Sunday through a social media account created to report cases of sexist violence under the name “The show is over.” It has been reported that “a young man known for participating in the Basque media is an aggressor.” “He moves in different towns and on stage working with Basque artists. He has performed stand-up comedy and presented different shows until he managed to present his own program. He is from Oñati, he has great charisma and social support. But that’s just one side of the coin. Young girls from different places have organized to make a public complaint. It has not been a single attack, there are many victims of physical, sexual, psychological and verbal attacks carried out by this type. Not once, not twice. The attacks have lasted over time and have increased,” they wrote on social networks.
“These types of attacks cannot continue to occur. Enough already. We don’t want more women in danger. We have organized ourselves, we have protected and cared for each other. If you have been attacked, know that we have a network to protect you. No aggression without response. In the face of attacks, feminist self-defense,” the writing concludes. From the producer, Hiru Damatxo, they recognize that they give “full credibility” to the women who have denounced a “person from their project” and guarantee that they will give them all their support. “We will do everything in our power to not cause more pain. We will not accept attacks nor will we protect aggressors,” they argue.
“We have had information about what happened a few days ago and we have not taken public measures before because it was what the chain wanted and to respect the times. Once it has been made public, we have responsibility. That is why we have decided to stop the production, broadcast and social networks of the project from this moment. We have also held meetings with EITB from the beginning to take measures due to the seriousness of what happened. We will continue with this same attitude for the meetings we will have in the coming days and the decisions that will be made,” they add.
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