Programme interrupted during general strike coverage
Around 40 hooded protesters entered the RTVE Catalonia studios in Barcelona on Wednesday 11th November 2026, halting the live broadcast of the current affairs programme 'El Cafè d'Idees', presented by Gemma Nierga. The disruption occurred just after 8:00 AM, as the show was preparing a special edition dedicated solely to covering the ongoing general strike. The protesters, identified as part of a picket action, entered the studio, positioned themselves in front of the cameras, and unfurled a banner reading 'Living shouldn't cost us our lives'. This prevented journalists from continuing their work.
Journalists assert right to inform
At 8:24 AM, Nierga addressed viewers via a video posted on social media, stating: 'This programme had prepared a special edition dedicated exclusively to reporting on the strike, with staff assigned as a minimum service.' She emphasised that the intrusion had blocked their ability to work.
"They prevented us from exercising our right to inform and you from receiving and having your right to receive information,"
Nierga reminded the public that journalists are considered an "essential service" under Spanish law, and that the right to information had been violated.
Broadcast resumes after 9:00 AM
According to RTVE sources, the protesters left the studio shortly after 9:00 AM, allowing the programme to resume transmission. The incident coincided with broader disruptions across Spain due to the general strike called by CCOO, UGT, and the Sindicato de Inquilinas, which also affected other broadcasters including Canal Sur, which went off air at 8:20 AM. 'El Cafè d'Idees' is broadcast simultaneously on La2Cat and Ràdio 4, and is produced with staff designated under minimum service provisions during strikes.
Sources: El Confidencial, elplural.com.
