Gratitude and Recognition
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone present for their attendance and to the Unió de Periodistes Valencians for granting me this prestigious award for Freedom of Expression. I am deeply honored and moved by this recognition.
I also want to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of Palestinian journalists who work in extremely dangerous conditions to report the truth. Their work is essential to exposing injustices and promoting accountability.
Lawfare: An Insidious Threat
Lawfare, or the instrumentalization of justice for political purposes, is a dangerous practice that undermines the fundamental principles of democracy. In Spain, we have witnessed first-hand how this tactic has been used to silence journalists and discourage them from reporting on sensitive matters.
As a journalist, I have experienced first-hand the crippling effects of lawfare. I have been subject to judicial persecution, threats and smear campaigns designed to silence me and discourage me from continuing to report on corruption and irregularities.
Lawfare not only affects individual journalists, but also has a chilling effect on the entire profession. It creates a climate of fear and self-censorship, where journalists are forced to weigh the risks of reporting on certain topics against the possible consequences.
A Case Study: ‘Lawfare’ in the Canary Islands
The case of my colleague, Victoria Rosell, is an illustrative example of how ‘lawfare’ has been used in Spain. As a judge and politician, she was the subject of a relentless campaign of persecution by political and judicial interests.
The Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary, in connivance with certain media outlets, fabricated evidence and manipulated procedures to discredit and silence her. The objective was clear: to prevent him from running for election and to prevent his voice from being heard in the public debate.
Despite overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing, the lawfare against Victoria Rosell continued for years, causing irreparable damage to her reputation and career. The case demonstrates the reach of lawfare and the urgent need for measures to protect journalists and society in general from this threat.
The role of the media
The media plays a crucial role in the fight against lawfare. They have a responsibility to fairly and accurately report on these cases, exposing the tactics used and holding those responsible accountable.
However, some media outlets have become complicit in lawfare, providing a platform to spread false and defamatory information about journalists and whistleblowers.
It is essential that the media maintain high ethical standards and resist being used as tools of political persecution. They must prioritize truth and objectivity, and not allow their platforms to be used to silence critical voices.
Measures to Protect Freedom of the Press
To protect press freedom and combat lawfare, it is necessary to implement a series of measures, including:
– Strengthen the independence of the Judiciary, guaranteeing that judges and prosecutors are free from political interference.
– Reform defamation laws to protect journalists from unfounded lawsuits and prevent the courts from being misused to silence critics.
– Enact specific anti-lawfare laws that penalize misuse of the judicial system for political purposes.
– Create independent mechanisms to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for lawfare.
Conclusion
Lawfare is a serious threat to democracy and press freedom. It is essential that we take action to combat this insidious practice and protect journalists and society at large from its harmful effects.
In the face of fear and intimidation, we must unite and defend independent journalism and freedom of expression. Only through surveillance, reporting and collective action can we ensure that the truth prevails and that democracy is not undermined by those who seek to silence their critics.
Gracias.