LaSexta Retracts Bomb Plot Rumor Against Spain's PM
LaSexta retracts a coordinated disinformation campaign about a bomb plot targeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, citing a reading error.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Lasensla retracts bomb plot rumor: reading error or calculated disinformation?
On April 6, several media outlets, led by El Plural and Lasensla, coordinated the publication of a story claiming the UCO had thwarted a bomb plot against Pedro Sánchez. Hours later, Lasensla retracted the claim, attributing it to a "reading comprehension error" regarding an intercepted conversation. This admission has sparked suspicion about the relationship between the government and certain media outlets.
The mechanics of the rumor
The original story was based on a chat among UCO commanders allegedly discussing an attack on the president. However, the retraction clarified that the conversation actually described a maneuver to divert attention from Ábalos's penthouse. The near-simultaneous launch by El Plural, Lasensla, and other affiliated sites suggests deliberate coordination to many analysts. "When one media outlet errs, it's a mistake; when several do it at once, it's a rumor," summarizes one prevalent view.
Excuses and comparisons
The director of El Plural, also a RTVE board member, justified the error as a misinterpretation. Critics, however, point to a pattern similar to the "three layers of underwear" rumor from 9/11, also spread by La Ser. The difference lies in the retraction: while no retraction occurred in the 9/11 case, Lasensla reversed course only after social media mocked the absurdity. Some view this as responsible journalism; others see it as damage control.
Political background
The rumor fits a period of high tension between the Executive and the judiciary. That same week, Judge Pedraz peine an investigation into the so-called 'Ábalos plot,' pointing to a campaign to harass judges and prosecutors. The opposition claims the bomb plot leak was an attempt to divert attention from corruption cases affecting the PSOE. Political data indicates the PP has 261 corruption cases compared to 135 for the PSOE, but the debate centers on the severity and systematic nature of the lies.
Related forum debates
On April 6, several media outlets, led by El Plural and Lasensla, coordinated the publication of a story claiming the UCO had thwarted a bomb plot against Pedro Sánchez. Hours later, Lasensla retracted the claim, attributing it to a "reading comprehension error" regarding an intercepted conversation. This admission has sparked suspicion about the relationship between the government and certain media outlets.
The mechanics of the rumor
The original story was based on a chat among UCO commanders allegedly discussing an attack on the president. However, the retraction clarified that the conversation actually described a maneuver to divert attention from Ábalos's penthouse. The near-simultaneous launch by El Plural, Lasensla, and other affiliated sites suggests deliberate coordination to many analysts. "When one media outlet errs, it's a mistake; when several do it at once, it's a rumor," summarizes one prevalent view.
Excuses and comparisons
The director of El Plural, also a RTVE board member, justified the error as a misinterpretation. Critics, however, point to a pattern similar to the "three layers of underwear" rumor from 9/11, also spread by La Ser. The difference lies in the retraction: while no retraction occurred in the 9/11 case, Lasensla reversed course only after social media mocked the absurdity. Some view this as responsible journalism; others see it as damage control.
Political background
The rumor fits a period of high tension between the Executive and the judiciary. That same week, Judge Pedraz peine an investigation into the so-called 'Ábalos plot,' pointing to a campaign to harass judges and prosecutors. The opposition claims the bomb plot leak was an attempt to divert attention from corruption cases affecting the PSOE. Political data indicates the PP has 261 corruption cases compared to 135 for the PSOE, but the debate centers on the severity and systematic nature of the lies.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (261 replies).
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