freedom of expression, as a fundamental right, it is a pillar of the democratic system. Its defense means the acceptance that all ideas can be expressed without fear of being censored or suffering reprisals, even if some of them are unpleasant for a certain group. And it also means the protection of production and artistic creation, even assuming that irreverence and rudeness are very useful resources in the field of humor. On the other hand, there is no right not to feel offended, although it should not be deduced from this that freedom of expression is infinite. There are certain limits that are linked precisely to the exercise of other fundamental rights, such as the right to honor, the right to privacy or the right to one’s own image. Therefore, when there are conflicts between freedom of expression and the latter, the right to honor is prevalent.
Therefore, it should not be surprising that the director of TV-3, Sigfrid Gras, has decided to dismiss Manel Vidal, a collaborator of the program ‘Free Zone’, as a consequence of a gag of his in which the PSC was identified with a swastika. Beyond the scarce grace and artistic quality of the gag, something that in no case should be objectionable except by the audience, what is unacceptable is that from the public media that say they are committed to ethical and democratic principles spread a message that compromises the honor and image of the PSC, a party of proven democratic solvency, which has a broad parliamentary representation and which represents many citizens. Neither the PSC nor any other. Humour, although not necessarily intelligent, can be insolent and even lackadaisical, but there are limits that should not be exceeded. This is what the new director of TV-3 has said, the first, by the way, chosen by means of a public contest. Welcome to him and his new and healthy criteria.