Sánchez combats disinformation, promotes transparency in media: a pushback against right-wing groups and challenges to Catalonia’s political future

President Pedro Sánchez has announced measures to combat disinformation and promote transparency in the media in response to investigations based on journalistic clippings of his wife and brother by two Spanish courts. There are concerns that these measures may be an attempt to regulate the press in Spain.

Sánchez’s proposal includes reviewing media financing and implementing the institutional advertising law. He argues that there is a coordinated effort by right-wing groups to spread hoaxes and misinformation through the media. Sánchez plans to implement a democratic action plan, known as the “democratic regeneration” plan, starting in July, aimed at countering disinformation spread by social networks and digital tabloids.

The investigations into Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, have raised questions about her potential involvement in alleged crimes. Sánchez is relying on the European Union’s media freedom law to promote transparency in media ownership and financing. He also plans to introduce modifications to laws related to the right to rectification and the right to honor in order to hold digital media outlets more accountable.

Sánchez’s focus on media transparency and combating disinformation comes at a time when he is also navigating political challenges in Catalonia. The region’s recent election results have created uncertainty around the formation of a government, with implications for Sánchez’s own political future. Failure to form a government in Catalonia by the end of August could lead to new elections.

Overall, Sánchez’s efforts to combat disinformation and promote media transparency reflect broader concerns about the state of democracy and press freedom in Spain. By addressing these issues, Sánchez aims to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the integrity of the media landscape.