The only regional news shows offered are available on EITB and TVRE. Though TVRE defines its audience as national it follows the official state regions when preparing their local news broadcasts. This attention to the regions in the eyes of many reflects the government perspective on local affairs. Regional news is often presented absent of controversy. In contrast regional stations like ETB1 and ETB2 may extend a news story into several clips in order to represent the controversy surrounding the story. This usually results in the presentation of various opinions within the Basque community. The clearest example of the relationship between public opinion, news and audience is seen in ETB1. ETB1 is the only Basque television station in Basque as well as the only station with a news program about the French Basque Country.

According to the viewers' definition of "the must get information", the viewer will tune in a national or regional broadcast. In doing so, the viewer is defining the parameters of his or her immediate concerns. Getting the newscast is a daily ritual exercise in defining an individual's imagined community and boundaries of relevance. Individuals like Pilar who define themselves as Spanish nationals first would find no relevance in watching or keeping tab of French Basque news. Similarly, if a person who identifies as Basque catches only a glimpse of news but the newscast was from TVRE or another private Spanish station, they will feel as if they have missed the most relevant portion of the news.

News program selection can also be described along the level of controversy a viewer wishes to entertain. The presentation or absence of controversy aids in uncovering the public opinion expressed in subtext of the news shows. Using our examples, Pilar when looking onto local EITB newscasts will be annoyed by the obligatory presentation of different sides commenting on news stories. Her description of the news is tainted negatively, by what she perceives is the endless battle of words and opinions. The newscast of her preference is to the point and presents limited video footage of different sides criticizing each other or simply disagreeing. To the population that actively chooses EITB does so because they witness the dissension, as it is in the dissension that their identity exists.

All networks reported when the Minister of Education, Esperanza Aguirre announced that her ministry had passed several minimum content requirements for History classes. Only TVRE, in their regional news show, and EITB reported that a student alleged that he was the victim of harassment or political discrimination during AEK class. TVRE presentation of the story leaves the news story with the accusation while EITB will provide a counter argument through the presentation of additional news clips from other sources. The difference between TVRE's regional report and EITB's coverage reaffirms the different voices that are popularly ascribed to the stations. TVRE captures the views of the Spanish State which seek primarily to indict regional separatist efforts. EITB reflects local dissension and controversy.