OSCE Representative concerned by attacks against journalists during demonstrations in Spain, calls for protection of journalists covering protests

VIENNA, 22 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today following several violent incidents against journalists in Spain over the past week, as well as the arrest of a journalist on 18 October, after protests started on 14 October in Barcelona.

“I am concerned by the number of incidents and attacks against journalists while covering demonstrations in Barcelona in the past days,” said Désir. “Some of these incidents involved law enforcement officers. I call on the authorities to ensure the protection of journalists and media professionals who are covering the protests in Catalonia.”

According to local media reports, on 14 October, several journalists, who identified themselves as members of the press by wearing press armbands and vests, were injured by police during the demonstrations. These include Elise Gazengel from France 24, Pol Pareja of the website Eldiaro.es, Jordi Mumbrú from the daily Ara, Albert Salamé and Oriol Izquierdo from Vilaweb.cat, Joan Giralt, Freddy Davies and Núria Gebellí from La Directa magazine, Pau Venteo from Catalunya Radio, and Victor Asensio from Elprat TV.

On 15 October, the journalist Quico Sallés from El Mundo and the freelance photographer Sònia Calvó Carrió from eldiario.es, who identified themselves as members of the press, were physically attacked in Barcelona.  

On 16 October, the journalists Sira Esclasans from La Directa, and Carles Márquez from El Periódico were shot at by police with rubber bullets. Bru Aguiló from Fotomovimiento was also reportedly attacked by police and had his equipment damaged.

In addition, on 18 October, the El País photojournalist, Albert Garcia, was arrested while covering the demonstrations, before being released the next day. Meanwhile the journalist Quico Sallés from El Mundo was reportedly struck in the leg by rubber bullets fired by police and again physically assaulted, along with the photojournalist Juan Carlos Mohr whose equipment was also damaged. The journalists Salvador Cot from El Mundo, and Fermín Grodira reportedly suffered verbal and physical attacks while reporting on the demonstrations and had their cameras damaged. The journalists Emilio Morenati and Bernat Arnangué from the Associated Press were also struck by rubber bullets fired by police.

“It is essential to ensure that the press can report freely on public demonstrations, and I call on the Spanish authorities to thoroughly investigate all incidents involving violence against journalists,” Désir said. “I also urge the authorities to ensure that law enforcement personnel refrain from obstructing the work of journalists, and to ensure their safety at all times.”

The Representative recalled that the “Special Report on Handling of the Media during Political Demonstrations: Observations and Recommendations” published by his Office, states that “law-enforcement officials have a constitutional responsibility not to prevent or obstruct the work of journalists during public demonstrations, and journalists have a right to expect fair and restrained treatment by the police.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom