
Spanish PM Accused of Trying To Seize Control of Top Newspaper
The clash over El País has sparked fears of government interference in the media, with critics warning it threatens press freedom and democracy in Spain.
The clash over El País has sparked fears of government interference in the media, with critics warning it threatens press freedom and democracy in Spain.
Critics warn that the proposed legislation could stifle press freedom by granting authorities sweeping powers over media regulation and funding.
A legal instrument originally designed to target drug cartels and terrorist financiers was used against a media outlet—and when questioned about its use against political figures, police refused to deny that they had used it against people in political positions.
“If it’s done right, media reform could actually make Keir Starmer’s job a lot easier” says radical leftist MP.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of having a “banana-republic conception of power.”
“The right to use political satire is also an important part of freedom of speech,” Richard Jomshof said.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser claims she wants to uphold free speech—despite her attempts to ban a government-critical magazine.
“Democracy defeats dictatorship,” the magazine’s editor-in-chief posted on X.
Mainstream media’s apparent tip-off on Compact raids contrasts with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s subsequent refusal to respond to press queries.
The move comes in retaliation for an extended EU-wide ban of Russian news outlets.