Quote from Alex bobby on May 21, 2025, 6:28 AM

Spanish Journalists Push Back Against Harassment as Parliament Considers Media Reform

Journalists covering Spain’s parliament are demanding action against what they describe as increasing harassment and obstruction by activists posing as members of the press. The debate over press freedom, misinformation, and media responsibility reached a boiling point last week, prompting lawmakers to consider new sanctions and press accreditation reforms.

The latest flashpoint came during a press conference held by Verónica Barbero, a spokesperson for the left-wing Sumar party, where a far-right activist and online influencer, Bertrand Ndongo, disrupted proceedings. Though accredited as a journalist for the outlet Periodista Digital, Ndongo refused to cede the floor, shouting “I will not remain silent” over a reporter trying to ask a question. The disruption led to a dramatic walkout by the press corps.

The incident sparked outrage among parliamentary journalists and has added urgency to a proposed reform of Spain’s press accreditation system—something that’s been under review for months amid growing concerns about the presence of disruptive, non-traditional actors in the media space.

Journalism Under Siege

In the wake of the chaos, Spain’s Association of Parliamentary Journalists (APP) issued a strong statement condemning the behaviour of certain individuals accredited as journalists, who they say "disrupt or impede the normal operation of press conferences… and distort the right to gather and transmit truthful information."

This is not an isolated incident. In February, about 80 journalists held a protest outside the Spanish Congress decrying what they called "unacceptable behaviour" by fellow accredited individuals, some of whom they accused of harassment and intimidation, including threats of doxxing—the act of revealing personal information like home addresses online.

“Journalists working in Congress have suffered insults, abuse, and accusations from accredited individuals who disregard basic rules of coexistence,” the APP said. “They have even threatened to reveal our addresses. This behaviour has a direct and negative impact on citizens' constitutional right too information.”

Crackdown on 'Pseudo-Media'

This week, the lower chamber of Spain’s parliament debated a draft reform that would impose penalties on individuals disrupting the press process. The measures under consideration include suspensions of press credentials ranging from 10 days for minor infractions to up to five years for serious violations such as “uttering insults, discrediting others, or violating the dignity of others.”

The proposal enjoys wide support from political parties including the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE), the progressive Sumar alliance, and Catalonia’s nationalist Junts party. However, it faces opposition from the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and the far-right Vox party, who argue that the reforms amount to censorship.

Vox spokesperson Pepa Millán accused the PSOE of trying to “purge” journalists that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sees as unfriendly. In contrast, PSOE spokesperson Patxi López emphasised that the reform is necessary to protect journalists from “individuals who are dedicated to intimidating, disrespecting, and systematically hindering the work of journalism.”

Vice President of Congress Alfonso Rodríguez Gómez de Celis echoed that concern in March, warning that democracy is under threat from “spreaders of hoaxes and hate” operating under the guise of legitimate media. “Pseudo-media are eroding our democracy,” he said, calling on lawmakers to support measures that safeguard press integrity.

A Media Landscape in Flux

The parliamentary debate comes at a time when traditional journalism is grappling with profound challenges—not just in Spain, but around the world. Economic pressures, shrinking newsrooms, and competition from digital platforms have already reshaped the industry. The latest threat, however, is more insidious: the blending of journalism with activism, misinformation, and online influence operations.

The problem is particularly urgent given the shifting habits of news consumption. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of Europeans aged 16 to 30 now rely on social media as their primary source of political and social news. That shift raises serious concerns about the credibility and accuracy of the information they receive—especially as platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have scaled back their fact-checking initiatives.

In this environment, maintaining a clear boundary between legitimate journalism and propaganda is more important than ever. For Spain’s parliamentary press corps, the ability to conduct their work without intimidation is not just a professional concern—it’s a matter of preserving democracy itself.

Conclusion: The Stakes Are High

As Spain’s parliament moves toward reforming press accreditation, the debate is no longer simply about who gets a seat at the press table. It’s about upholding journalistic standards, defending the right to truthful information, and drawing a line against the misuse of media credentials for political provocation.

The outcome of this debate could set a precedent not only for Spain but for other democracies grappling with the same issues: how to balance free speech with responsible journalism in an age where everyone with a smartphone can claim to be a reporter.

At a moment when public trust in the media is fragile, and social platforms are flooded with noise, safeguarding the integrity of the press is a battle worth fighting.