IFJ/EFJ Warn Spain over Threats to Media Rights from "Citizens' Security" Bill

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have written to the Spanish Interior Minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, urging him to reconsider some provisions in the draft law on "Citizens Security" in Spain. The proposed Bill seeks the ban holding public protests ‘near specific institutions such as Parliament'. Under the proposed law, police will also have the power to declare as ‘security zones' areas near politicians' homes. In particular, the two organisations expressed their grave concerns over the proposed sanctions under the draft law against journalists and photographers where "their work is deemed to have had some adverse impact or caused moral damages to policemen or security forces", for which journalists face up to 600.000 Euros in fines. The IFJ and its European group, the European Federation of Journalists( EFJ) have denounced the measures as ‘disproportionate' and supported the call of their Spanish affiliates (FAPE, FeSPO and FSC-CCOO) to meet with government's officials and discuss their concern over the Bill's restrictions on media rights. "The proposals will create a legal insecurity for photographers, cameramen, journalists and editors," said the letter signed by IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa and EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutierrez." We request you to meet with the representatives of the journalists' organisations to hear grievances about the controversial draft law before it is approved by your government and parliament." For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600 000 journalists in 134 countries