MADRID:”Spain Proposes Media Rule Tightening to Combat Fake News”, On Wednesday (Jul 17), Spain unveiled new measures aimed at controlling the proliferation of fake news. The initiative has sparked criticism from the conservative opposition, accusing the government of attempting to censor critical media outlets. The move underscores ongoing global efforts to address misinformation and its impact on public discourse.
“Without free media of quality, there is no democracy,” Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized in his address to the lower house. He highlighted the necessity of reliable and diverse sources of information, stating that without them, citizens are left uninformed.
The proposal comes at a crucial juncture when discussions around media freedom and the regulation of harmful or misleading content have intensified, particularly in light of recent elections in Europe, India, and the United States, including the European Parliament election. This context underscores the global challenge of balancing freedom of expression with the need to combat misinformation in the digital age.
In Spain, like elsewhere, newer forms of news presentation such as on social platforms and on messaging and video apps are becoming more influential in political discourse and can reach audiences far larger than traditional media.
They would bring Spain in line with the European Media Freedom Act approved in March. That act is designed to regulate the media but also shield journalists from state spying or being forced to reveal their sources.
The conservative People’s Party questioned the timing of the Bill as it comes two days before Sanchez’s wife Begona Gomez is due to appear in court as part of a corruption investigation case that has been dismissed by her husband as fake news whipped up by right-wing media with the support of opposition parties.
