Spain’s proposal to reform media law seen as threat to press freedom

Madrid — Spain’s leader has pledged to reform the country’s media law next month to stop the spread of fake news, a move criticized by many as a threat to press freedom.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced this month that the new legislation would “end the impunity of some pseudo media largely financed by … the extreme right.”

In an interview with Spanish paper La Vanguardia, he said the law would “consolidate plural, diverse media with accurate information. These are today the ones harmed by digital tabloids that spread hoaxes.”

But journalists and media analysts warn the move risks endangering press freedom and limiting the media’s role as a public watchdog. Some note that the move by Sanchez and his left-wing coalition government comes in response to critical reporting about the leader’s family.

His wife, Begona Gomez, was embroiled in a legal case over alleged corruption and influence peddling. She is scheduled to appear before a judge in Madrid on July 5 as part of a preliminary investigation relating to business activities.

Gomez has not been charged, and Sanchez said she has not committed any offense.

The court probe was opened after a complaint filed by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), an anti-corruption union that has been linked to the far right. The organization has said its complaint is based on media reports.

When the story broke in April, Sanchez described the allegations leveled at Gomez as a “harassment and bullying operation” against him and his wife by political and media enemies.

He took five days out, saying he needed to consider his future and whether his position was worth all the abuse directed at his family.

When Sanchez returned to office, he called for an end to a culture of “mud-slinging and slanderous rumors” which, he said, threatened the quality of public life.

In a four-page letter posted on X, he said the Manos Limpias complaint was untrue and based on “alleged reporting” by news sites whose political bias were “overtly right-wing and far-right.”

Manos Limpias has said its complaint could be based on incorrect reports. But in a social media post, it said, “If they are not true then whoever published them should take responsibility. But if they are not untrue, we understand that the judicial investigation should continue.”

Media reform

When Sanchez briefly stepped back, thousands of journalists signed a letter of support, saying an attack by the media and judicial “extreme right” was an “attempt to subvert the popular will expressed at the polls through illicit means.”

And in proposing reforms to the media law, Sanchez has said it will be allied to the Media Freedom Act introduced by the European Commission. MFA is designed to prevent political interference in media outlets and ensure transparent and non-discriminatory state advertising.

But critics are wary.

Nacho Cardero, director of El Confidencial — a respected news website that has published a series of reports on Gomez — said Sanchez’s proposal to legislate against the media represents a challenge to journalism.

“This is a complicated moment in the story of Spain and journalism. It is putting in danger media freedom and the right of the citizens to be well-informed. The government has reacted by attacking the media. Right now, they have not said who the pseudo media is nor what are the lies,” he said.

“They have said they are going to change the law to distinguish between good and bad media. But they have not said what they are going to do.”

Since El Confidencial published its reports on Gomez, the government has cut ties with the news site, Cardero said, meaning they can no longer report the government’s side. This, he said, is not good for “El Confidencial, the government nor the people.”

VOA emailed the Spanish government for a comment but has not received a reply.

Media watchdogs have noted an increase in political polarization and attacks from media in Spain and several other countries. It’s a trend that sees leaders respond to critical reporting by accusing the media of political bias.

Alfonso Bauluz, president of the Spanish wing of the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF, condemned such attacks.

“We also want to appeal to the sanity of political representatives. Straining public debate and encouraging acrimony leads to hatred, something that unfortunately is so present on social networks. And we think that it should not contaminate the press, whose task is to represent and offer all points of view,” he said.

“The function of informing, criticizing power and denouncing its deviation is inherent to journalism and respect for those who exercise their profession with rigor and professional ethics is an inalienable demand,” Bauluz said.

Maria Rey, president of the Madrid Press Association, told VOA that if Spain reformed the existing law, it might mean the creation of an organization to police media.

“What makes us uncomfortable is the message that journalists are not sufficiently professional to regulate ourselves. Until now, there has always been responsible media to counterbalance incorrect news,” she said.

“We are able to regulate ourselves. We are tremendously self-critical about our journalism,” Rey said.

Cardero said that although the government wants to legislate, it is unclear if they can.

The current minority government, which is dependent on smaller parties, has made legislating difficult this year. Because of that, it is unclear whether Sanchez would be able to gain enough support needed for reforms.
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