Spain: Political Party Brands Journalist Lorena R de La Torre “Enemy” - Banning Her From Events | Party Must Allow Her to Report
Location: Spain, Ourense
Date: April 10, 2023
Right-wing political party discredits freelance journalist Lorena R de La Torre and prohibits her from events. The party’s targeting of de La Torre must stop. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands they allow her to work freely.
On April 10, political party Democracia Ourensane (DO) sent a letter to news agency Agencia EFE claiming bias by its correspondent Lorena R. de la Torre, labeling her an “enemy of our party.”
The party says the reporter "will not be welcome" at its events, a decision that the Galician Professional Association of Journalists calls an "attack on freedom of the press and democracy.”
Lorena De La Torre, a freelance journalist with Agencia EFE and ABC Galicia, was previously told not to attend DO's events and removed from the party’s press mailing list.
The right-wing populist party is targeting de La Torre "with a clear intention of endangering her employment situation,” according to the Galician journalist organization.
De La Torre has defended her professionalism as a journalist telling El Diaro she has a right to collaborate with different outlets.
Gonzalo Pérez Jácome, Leader of DO, is a controversial figure who has been embroiled in a series of scandals since becoming mayor of Ourense. He has previously mocked the press covering him and his party.
Attempts by Democracia Ourensane to discredit and hinder de La Torre are unacceptable. Political parties should guarantee access to journalists and media professionals. Limiting free press is damaging to democracy. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the party stops targeting Lorena R. de La Torre and rescind its ban immediately.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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