Local government also spreads malicious stories targeting elDiario.es and El País journalists

Location: Spain, Madrid

Date: March 12, 2024

Women Press Freedom is deeply alarmed by the hostile actions of Madrid’s regional government toward the press. The alarming reports of the Chief of Staff to Madrid's regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, threatening journalist Esther Palomera, deputy director of elDiario.es, are disturbing indications of the lengths to which some will go to stifle press freedom and silence critical journalism. Such menacing actions, coupled with the spread of false accusations against journalists from elDiario.es and El País, undermine the very foundations of a free and open press, essential for the health of any democratic society. Threats and attempts to tarnish the reputation of journalists through false accusations are a blatant attempt to silence and restrict press freedom. We demand an immediate end to the attacks from the government of Madrid; this is not the way a political office should behave. We support the journalists in any legal action they may choose to take in defense of these harmful and severe threats and allegations.

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"We are going to crush you. You are going to have to close," was the menacing message sent to journalist Esther Palomera from Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, chief of staff for Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the regional president of Madrid. Palomera, the deputy director of elDiario.es, received this threat via WhatsApp on March 12, 2024, in response to the outlet's coverage of alleged tax fraud involving Ayuso's partner.

Rodriguez's aggressive communication was not the first time Palomera experienced hostility from the regional president’s second-in-command. In an article, Palomera revealed that Rodriguez also sent her messages in November 2023. She says he has repeatedly made insulting remarks and issued personal threats via WhatsApp messages, with some referencing her family and personal life.

Palomera chose to publicly address the latest threats "because they affect the entire editorial staff of the newspaper and because they have no place in democracy."

The attacks against the press did not end there. The Madrid government, spearheaded by Rodriguez, also spread false information about journalists from elDiario.es and El País. Stories of “hooded journalists” breaking into the home of the regional president and harassing neighbors were published in various publications. Identifying oneself as a journalist and questioning neighbors and local businesses for news-gathering purposes are standard journalistic practices. The government of Madrid portrayed these actions as criminal behavior without evidence. El País and elDiario.es refuted these accusations and are contemplating legal action against those responsible for spreading misinformation.

Women Press Freedom is appalled by the behavior of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and the Madrid regional government's team. We strongly denounce the threats against elDiario.es and its journalist, Esther Palomera, as well as the propagation of malicious stories targeting reporters from elDiario.es and El País. This attack on the credibility of the press constitutes a severe assault on press freedom by the local government and must be met with a response. We call for a thorough investigation into the threats and intimidation Esther Palomera has faced, an apology from the regional government of Madrid, and an immediate end to the attacks and smear campaign targeting reporters and media outlets.

This conduct from the regional president's office, attempting to silence investigative reporting about her partner, is unacceptable in a democratic country purportedly committed to upholding media freedom and democratic values.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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