The debate on media control has taken center stage in Congress following the intervention of the president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. During the government oversight session, Feijóo has attacked the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, for what he considers an attempt to control the information that citizens receive through the media.In his speech, the PP leader stated that "Spanish people's money is not used to buy private companies, nor to buy governments, nor to control the media."
Feijóo criticized the Prime Minister for the meeting held in Paris between the Minister of Digital Transformation of the Sánchez government and the president of Telefónica with an international company, a meeting that, according to him, sought to influence the shareholders of a Spanish communications group. For the leader of the Popular Party, this event reflects a media intervention strategy that Sánchez "does not want to respond to," which he considers "an outrage."
Feijóo criticizes Sánchez's lack of explanations.
During his speech, Feijóo joked about the Prime Minister's attitude on this matter.You're not telling the truth, not even to the House. It's absolutely astonishing."The PP leader stated, adding that, "given how much he likes to control everything, it's already bad luck that he doesn't know anything about what's around him."
In this regard, Feijóo recalled other recent cases affecting the Prime Minister's entourage.He was also unaware of Ábalos's case, of his Attorney General's case, of his brother's case, or of what was happening at his house.", he stated. These statements have been used to reinforce his argument that Pedro Sánchez is prioritizing media control over other matters of public interest.
Feijóo warns about the damage to Telefónica and press freedom
Regarding Telefónica, Feijóo has demanded that the Prime Minister "not cause irreparable damage" to the company.Don't play with a listed company, don't play with the prestige of a strategic company, of a Spanish multinational, don't play with more than a million shareholders and don't play with more than 100.000 employees.", has underlined.
The president of the Popular Party has criticized the fact that the Executive has spent 2.000 billion euros on the share control of Telefónica, an operation that he interprets as a further step in the policy of media control carried out by the Sánchez government. Feijóo has denounced the use of public resources in this operation as an ultimate goal to influence the editorial policy of the media. "It seems to be used to extort the media," he stated.
Feijóo regrets the priorities of the Sánchez government
Alberto Núñez Feijóo has called attention to what he considers a deviation in priorities by the Prime Minister. He explained, "Now, with the most complicated international context in decades, he has been devoting weeks to more time for the Prisa Group war than for the Ukrainian WarWith these words, Feijóo has focused on the Sánchez government's dedication to what he interprets as a strategy of media control, rather than focusing on the problems of the Spanish people.
The president of the PP also recalled that three days ago the president of the newspaper El País He had to warn Sánchez that he “cannot behave like a dictator.”Feijóo emphasized that it cannot be said that the newspaper "doesn't know him well," thus underscoring the seriousness of the situation. He also cited the British newspaper The Times, which yesterday included a similar comparison regarding the behavior of the Spanish Prime Minister.
Media control, a risk to democracy according to Feijóo
Throughout his speech, Feijóo insisted that the media control that the Sánchez government is reportedly promoting represents a threat to press freedom in Spain. The Popular Party leader has warned that this strategy of media intervention undermines citizens' right to receive free and truthful information.
Feijóo appealed to the institutional responsibility of the Spanish government and demanded that the independence of media companies be respected and that practices that, according to him, seek to influence news content be put to an end. "Don't play with the information of the Spanish people," he stated.
Defense of press freedom and transparency
Feijóo has defended the role of a free press as a fundamental pillar of democracy. He has insisted on the need for transparency and respect to information pluralism, warning that media control not only endangers press freedom but also erodes citizens' trust in democratic institutions.
For the president of the Popular Party, It is essential that the Executive provide clear explanations about its actions at Telefónica and its relationship with the communication groups.Feijóo reiterated that public funds cannot be used to intervene in the media market or to restrict citizens' right to information.
