Spain Allows Bullfighting on TV after Six-Year Ban

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. conservative (adj.) [kuh n-sur-vuh-tiv] – having political beliefs that put importance on traditional ways of doing things

Example:  Politicians from the Conservative Party refused to change the present laws.

2. air (v.) [air] – to show on television or to broadcast on radio

Example:  NHK World airs Japanese news and programs in English.

3. ascend (v.) [uh-send] – to rise in position or power, such as in government or kingdom

Example:  People who ascend to be government leaders should rule wisely.

4. enthusiast (n.) [en-thoo-zee-ast, -ist] – someone who is very interested in a sport, hobby, thing, etc.

Example:  Fans and enthusiasts gathered in front of the Apple store for the release of the iPhone 5.

5. condone (v.) [kuh n-dohn] – to allow something bad to continue

Example: The protest group said the government should not condone the food industry’s cruelty to animals.

Article
Read the text below.

Spain’s new prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has recently allowed bullfighting or “corrida” to air again on television. The sport was banned from being shown on TV six years ago. Prime Minister Rajoy is a supporter of bullfighting, and he believes that it is an art that has long been a part of Spain’s history. His political party, the conservative People’s Party, also supports bullfighting as a traditional sport. Previous government officials from the Socialist Party had banned bullfighting broadcasts from TV because these shows were expensive and aired at 6 p.m., a time when many children watch TV. But with majority of newly elected officials coming from the People’s Party, many rules created by the past government are being changed. One of the conservative party’s first actions upon ascending into power last December was setting up a new management team for Television Española (TVE), the country’s national public broadcasting organization. Much to the delight of bullfighting enthusiasts, TVE announced it would be showing a series of live fights. The first fight, already aired by TVE last September, was held in Valladolid, located in northern Spain. TVE’s spokesperson said that TVE will air more bullfighting episodes in the next months because of the potential viewing audience these shows will attract. Meanwhile, anti-bullfighting campaigners say that bullfighting is a bloody sport that condones the hurting of animals. In Catalonia, a self-governing region in Spain, the sport was banned early this year after 180,000 people signed official requests against the practice.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you agree with allowing bullfights to be shown on TV? Why or why not?

·         Why do you think some people do not want to change or stop the tradition, even though it hurts animals?

Discussion B

·         Should programs with violent themes be aired on TV? Please explain.

·         Do you think your government should do more in controlling what programs are shown on TV? Why do you think so?

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