The influence of information manipulation in the attacks of 11-M
The journalist Javier Martín of the Efe agency revealed in an interview with premium.cat that during the attacks of March 11, 2004, he witnessed unprecedented information manipulation. Martín explained how, after interviewing a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut, he was informed about the attacks in Madrid and how information about jihadist authorship was censored in the Spanish public media.
The reaction of the Spanish government and media censorship
The degree of information manipulation during those events was surprising. The president of the Spanish government, José María Aznar, called media directors to assure them that the attacks had been the work of ETA, despite denials by its political arm and police doubts. In addition, the broadcast of an interview with the President of the United States, George W. Bush, which wanted to convey condolences to Spanish public opinion, was avoided.
Lack of responsibility and continued influence
Twenty years later, José María Aznar has not apologized or acknowledged the facts. In addition, he continues to be a point of reference within the PP, influencing the party and confronting more moderate sectors. Others involved such as Ángel Acebes, Eduardo Zaplana, Alfredo Urdaci, José Antonio Sánchez, Pedro J. Ramírez and Federico Jiménez Losantos have also maintained significant influence in different areas after the events.
