Coverage of the 11-M attacks in Madrid
Within the framework of the twentieth anniversary of the 11-M attacks in Madrid, various informative specials have been made that have highlighted the coverage carried out by TVE. During that time, the news direction was headed by Alfredo Urdaci, who has been accused of manipulating the coverage of the events in favor of the version promoted by the Moncloa government. That is, ETA was blamed for the attacks. In recent days, an interview with George Bush, US president at that time, has even been published, which would have been cut or omitted to maintain the version of the José María Aznar government. Faced with these accusations, Urdaci has responded in an interview in El Debate, where he affirms that he did not manipulate or omit the interview and promises to prove it.
The interview with George Bush
Urdaci has affirmed that the interview with George Bush was broadcast, refuting accusations that it was omitted. Additionally, she has challenged those who doubt the interview’s broadcast to check the house archives to verify it. According to Urdaci, it is surprising that after 20 years someone claims that an interview that aired on Telediario from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. does not exist. He has also questioned journalist Lorenzo Milà’s motivations for speaking out about this interview, suggesting that he may be trying to outdo his claim that COVID-19 was a simple flu.
A coordinated attack
In these days commemorating 20 years since the attacks, there has been much talk about the details of what happened and how it was reported. Urdaci has raised the possibility that there is an intention behind his return to notoriety, suggesting that La Sexta and TVE could be coordinating their actions on this significant date. Although he acknowledges that he received pressure from the government, Urdaci affirms that he did not give in or censor the information. Furthermore, he has pointed out that other media also pointed to ETA in their initial coverage, such as El País, although Al-Qaeda was later mentioned.
Urdaci’s return to TVE
After the 2004 elections, the socialist government dismissed Urdaci from TVE. However, after a legal battle that concluded in July 2023, the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid ruled that RTVE must reinstate the journalist and compensate him for salaries not received since 2015. Urdaci has rejoined TVE after a leave of absence of ten years and multiple requests for readmission rejected.