Spain has implemented a comprehensive legal, institutional, and operational framework to ensure the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• The Annual Regulatory Plan 2024 (PAN 2024) includes the approval of the Statute of the Independent Authority for the Protection of Whistleblowers (AAI) under Law 2/2023, which provides secure reporting channels and protection against retaliation for individuals reporting irregularities and corruption. This benefits journalists and researchers, guaranteeing safe access to sources.
• The Democracy Action Plan (DAP, 2024) aligns national legislation with the European Media Freedom Act (EU 2024/1083), enhancing transparency and independence of media outlets, and safeguarding journalists’ freedom of expression. It introduces measures to disclose media ownership, regulate institutional advertising, and prevent concentration of media ownership.
• The DAP also addresses disinformation, providing for a National Strategy to Combat Disinformation and the creation of a parliamentary Disinformation Commission.

Operational Measures and Institutional Support

• The Ministry of Interior ensures the protection of journalists as part of its mission to safeguard citizens’ rights and freedoms. Several points of contact have been established with the media:
  • National Police: National and territorial Communication Offices
  • Civil Guard: Central and peripheral Communication Offices
• Specialized units such as the Police Intervention Units (UIP) and Reserve and Security Groups (GRS) are trained to maintain public safety while protecting journalists during demonstrations and protests.
• A collaboration agreement (2020) with journalist associations provides for the identification of journalists using “PRENSA-PRESS” vests, overseen by a monitoring commission to ensure compliance and review protective measures. In unplanned events, clearly visible personal credentials may be used as accreditation.
• Training courses are offered to journalists on self-protection, situational awareness, and safety procedures in conflict zones.

Judicial Protections

• Judicial Police officers investigate crimes affecting journalists and report findings to the judicial authority or Public Prosecutor, ensuring accountability.
• The Constitutional Court (Judgment 172/2020) confirmed that restrictions on the dissemination of images or personal data of security personnel that could lead to prior censorship are unconstitutional, further safeguarding freedom of expression.

Overall, Spain combines legal safeguards, operational protocols, and training initiatives to ensure the physical safety, legal protection, and professional freedom of journalists, in line with national and international standards.